Mr Lochore keeps All Blacks intact

Press, 28 July 1986, Page 44

Mr Lochore keeps All Blacks intact

NZPA staff correspondent Palmerston North The All Black coach, Brian Lochore, voted absolute confidence in the young team he schooled to beat France last month by keeping the combination intact for the first test against Australia on August 9.

The only minor change to the squad named yesterday for the Athletic Park international is the return of the hooker, Bruce Hemara, to the reserves.

Hemara, outstanding for Manawatu against Australia on Saturday, defected from the French test because of a training injury. He takes the place of the Aucklander, lain Abercrombie, on the New Zealand reserves bench. Hemara’s omission from the All Black side implies Mr Lochore’s confidence in the youngster, Sean Fitzpatrick, a debutant at Christchurch after five matches for Auckland.

Fitzpatrick threw well to the All Black lineout in that match and Mr Lochore seems reluctant to break a proven combination.

The All Black selection convener had neither the incentive nor the personnel to make changes to his side after its 18-9 win at Lancaster Park.

Few players emerged in provincial play, on the Emerging Players’ internal tour or through the

New Zealand Colts’ limited itinerary, as real selection candidates.

Still, loyalty must have played a part in the selectors’ decision to retain the novice side which gave New Zealand rugby new purpose after the banning of the Cavaliers.

The Australian coach, Alan Jones, applauded the faith shown in the players. "Any changes would have been unexpected,” he said.

“I think the New Zealand administration has shown sensitivity in remaining loyal to these players. “They are a strong side and will be well prepared for the first test. I hope we will be better prepared.” The Wallaby captain, Andrew Slack, also read the side without surprise. “It is predictable,” he said.

“Those players did very well against France. I would only have been surprised if they had made sweeping changes. “I thought they may have looked at Hemara but obviously they are satisfied with the young

bloke who is already there.”

The All Black team is: Greg Cooper (Auckland), John Kirwan (Auckland), Joe Stanley (Auckland), Terry Wright (Auckland), Arthur Stone (Bay of Plenty), Frano Botica (North Harbour), David Kirk (Auckland - captain), Mike Brewer (Otago), Mark Brooke-Cowden (Auckland), Gordon Macpherson (Otago), Andy Earl (Canterbury), Brett Harvey (Wairarapa Bush), Kevin Boroevich (Wellington), Sean Fitzpatrick (Auckland), Brian McGrattan (Wellington). Reserves: Backs, Joe Leota (Canterbury), Marty Berry (Wairarapa Bush), Dean Kenny (Otago). Forwards, Brent Anderson (WairarapaBush) , Murray Davie (Canterbury), Bruce Hemara (Manawatu).

® A bigger, better-drilled King Country pack took command in the second spell of a non-champion-ship rugby match against the third division Poverty Bay at Gisborne yesterday.

After trailing, 9-3, at half-time the second division King Country ran in five tries to win, 29-9.