Support for Scotland

Press, 22 May 1987, Page 32

Support for Scotland

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

Scotland will start tomorrow’s World Cup rugby match against France as the underdog and for that reason alone it will be assured of a good following from the Lancaster Park crowd. The Scottish coach, Derrick Grant, said after yesterday’s training run, held in the seclusion of the Paparua prison grounds, that it was different being in another country, neither playing

at home in Scotland or gaway in France, and he was “a wee bit apprehensive about the support.” His fears might have been allayed by one of his own party. The Scottish hooker and captain, Colin Deans, said he had received plenty of support since arriving in Christchurch and had even been invited out to dine this week. “I was talking to someone who owned a chip shop and he invited the team down for a feed for

fish ’n’ chips.” Deans added that there seemed to be many expatriates in Christchurch. “It appears that most New Zealand people have some background of Scottish ancestry,” he joked. Persistent and heavy rain in Christchurch yesterday made training difficult for the Scottish and French teams.

Mr Grant said that everyone trained, but conditions made it hard. “We made it a team session with the backs and for-

wards training together. We will have a token run tomorrow.”

He refuted claims that the French full-back, Serge Blanco, who will be faced with the goal kicks, is not a recognised goalkicker. “He, can be a bit hit and miss, but he used to be the kicker.” “Conditions could play a big part on Saturday, it is similar to back home and could change quickly, we will have to wait and see what it is like on the day.