Dalton eyes last World Cup chance

Press, 12 June 1987, Page 32

Dalton eyes last World Cup chance

NZPA-AAP Brisbane Andy Dalton, New Zealand’s World Cup captain, has one last chance to make his mark in the tournament

Overlooked for Sunday’s semi-final against Wales in Brisbane, Dalton, who led the Cavaliers on the rebel tour to South Africa last year, is hoping for a place in the final in Auckland, on June 20.

Few doubt that the All Blacks will be too powerful for Wales, and Dalton said: “I’d dearly like to be. in the team but it’s a decision the selectors made.”

Fit again after hamstring trouble kept him out of the early rounds, Dalton, aged 35, and capped 35 times, is not wasting his leadership talents.

First capped 10 years ago and recognised as one of New Zealand’s most outstanding captains, Dalton is passing on his ex-

perience to David Kirk, the on-field leader who admits he relies heavily on advice from Dalton.

"Andy is a great help to me and he provides a great deal of the leadership for the team,” Kirk said.

The All Blacks’ current hooker, Sean Fitzpatrick, said: “I know its hard for Andy but I’m pleased to retain my position.” Fitzpatrick, who received 11 stitches in a gashed eye after last Saturday’s clash with Scotland, said Dalton was the ideal rugby hooker. “He’s ‘good in the scrum, good with the lineout throws and he’s fast around the field,” he said. • Dalton admits it’s frus- . trating trying to captain a team from the sideline.

“But I can totally understand why Fitzpatrick is in the team,” he said.

The All Black coach, Brian Lochore, would not be drawn on why Dalton remains relegated to the reserves. .

“That is a selectorial decision,” he said. Meanwhile, Wales returned to Brisbane yesterday after a two-day break on the Queensland Gold Coast.

“It was very refreshing for the whole team and now we are ready to settle down for the task in hand,” said the Welsh coach, Tony Gray, who has to sort out injury problems to the key forwards, Robert Norster and Gareth Roberts.