Simpson back with University

Press, 10 March 1987, Page 31

Simpson back with University

rugby will depend on his rowing commitments, and this is up to the national selectors. The Old Boys No. 8, Nigel Ward, who has been a big success in France this northern winter, will not be back in time for the first few rounds. As always, Lincoln College has had a big turnover in players, and notable departures are Mark McHardy, Colin Williamson and Mark Shallard. However, Hamish McGregor, an able full-back two years ago, is back at the college from the United States. This year Lincoln will be coached by the former Canterbury hooker, Jed Williams. Apart from Mills going to Christchurch, which should be good news for Phil Cropper, a New Zealand Colts hooker who has had to play second fiddle in the position to Mills, Linwood has lost Mike

Fransen to Australia and Ru Koha is having a year off. Brent Whakataka is also a doubtful starter. On the credit side, Linwood has gained the services of the very promising loose forward, Gavin Hill, who played for Burnham Camp last winter.

Lyttelton has a few gaps to fill, the most notable being that left by Victor Simpson, who has gone back to University. Brian Bachop and Alex Stewart both retired and Lyttelton will be looking to players promoted from the lower grades to help push it up the ladder. Andrew Maze’s decision to stay on in Europe will take a lot of strength out of Merivale’s scrum, but the club, which has shortened its name from Meri-vale-Papanui, is optimistic that its policy of developing players through the grades will show fruit this year. Another loss is the hooker, Wayne Burrows, to Wellington, but big turnouts at the trials have been encouraging for the club’s new senior coach, Ray Southam, formerly of Wanganui and Timaru. Another new senior coach is Brent Moore and he faces a daunting task

in restoring New Brighton to its former glory. The club has lost nearly half

its forwards through transfers and retirements, plus Mark Bell’s switch to Albion. Apart from Steve Blackler, who is living in Australia, and Tony Fonotia, who has switched to league, the backline should not be greatly changed, but it could be that time will be needed for New Brighton to regain its former forward strength. A full season from Barry White is heartening news for Suburbs’ new coach, George Humm. Gary O’Malley, who was overseas last winter, and Gary Roberts, formerly of Linwood, are others who could help give Suburbs a reasonable season, so long as it does not suffer through injuries.

Sydenham has made the major coup of the year by signing the Wellington loose forward, Mark Hudson, and it also has the Canterbury Country No. 8, John Cook, a player of great promise. Also back with Sydenham, after a season of league, is John Tapiata. On the deficit side, John Arbuckle, Mark Rhodes, Lauri Seinafo and Bill Grey have all retired or moved away. Brent Nicoll, the former Canterbury Colts full-back from Sydenham, will be hoping for better luck this year. He has suffered broken ankles, one in each foot, at the start of each of the last two winters.

University will be as strong as ever. Paul Treves will neatly fill the gap left by Mark Liddicoat’s return to the North Island and the old firm of Warwick Taylor and Victory Simpson will be together again in the midfield.

Simon Tobias, a pacey wing, is back from overseas, and playing again after a serious knee injury threatened to end his career is the promising prop, Chris O’Reilly. O’Reilly could be handy for University if impending marriage should take last year’s captain, Pat Benson, back to the North Island.