Setbacks continue

Press, 22 September 1987, Page 48

Setbacks continue

Canterbury’s rugby fortunes have plummeted this season in the National Mutual first division rugby championship and an injury to its bullocking No. 8, Dale Atkins, is just another in a long line of Setbacks for the coach, Doug Bruce. Rib injuries suffered in the match against Bay of Plenty on Saturday are expected to prevent Atkins from playing in Canterbury’s final championship match in the Nprth Island, against Cotinties at Pukekohe tomorrow.

As a precautionary measure, Mr Bruce yesterday summoned Craig Philpott, the promising Christchurch and Canterbury Colt representative who made his Canterbury A debut at lock against

Manawatu at Lancaster Park on September 12. However, that contingency plan had also failed by last evening. Speaking from Pukekohe, Mr Bruce said that Philpott had been the firstchoice replacement, but the young lock was suffering from a throat infection and was ruled out on medical advice. Mr Bruce added that another substitute would be sought. Mr Bruce had yet to finalise the Canterbury team last evening. The deposed Joe Leota was bracketed on the right wing with the player who replaced him, David Ellis, and the openside flankers, Stephen Dods and John McCaw, were also bracketed.

The team is: Shayne Philpott; Ellis or Leota,

Victor Simpson, Mark Vincent; Wayne Burleigh, Stephen Bachop; Bruce Deans; Dale Atkins; Dods or McCaw, Albert Anderson, Andy Earl, Grant Mickell; Chris Earl, John Buchan (captain), Murray Davie. Meanwhile Counties yesterday named four changes in its team from that which was well beaten by Manawatu on Saturday. It also had players bracketed for two positions. The team is: Lindsay Raki; Andrew Talaimanu, Kerry Newson, Tony Welsh or Grant Nolan; Sean Lineen, Carl Murray; Mark Moore; Alan Dawson; Jim Coe, Derek Macdonald, Mike Johnson, Richard Smart; Ken Parry, Kevin Ashby or John Smythe, Rod Ketels.