Confrontation of the ‘big cats’

Press, 2 October 1987, Page 23

Confrontation of the ‘big cats’

There is no pre-match winner between Hornby and Northcote in terms of selecting a more ferocious emblem. A panther from Christchurch’s southern suburbs is just as intimidating as a tiger from Auckland’s north shore, and the clubs could hardly have a more fitting confrontation than in a tournament sponsored by Lion Red.

But Northcote firmed in favouritism for the $lO,OOO first prize when it mauled the Wellington champion, Upper Hutt (whose players also wear a Tigers symbol on their jerseys), last week-end. Northcote enters Sunday’s semi-final at the Addington Show Grounds as champion of Auckland, a title it has never before boasted in its 78-year history. It overcame tremendous odds to stay ahead of the minor premier, Mangere East, in Auckland’s grand final even though its captain, Jeff Clarke, had been ordered off in the first half.

But although the Hornby line-up is comparatively youthful and inexperienced, the club’s present first XIII is utterly determined to further enhance a proud heritage. Hornby has won more, Canterbury titles than any other club, 17 on its own account and another in a wartime amalgamation, since its formation in 1915. It is also the pro-

vince’s most regular and successful representative in national knock-out football, with three semi-final appearances in five, seasons.

Although relieved of the Canterbury crown by Halswell last month — there was only a late field goal separating them — Hornby has again

responded admirably to the requirements of sud-den-death, four-quarters rugby league. It ultimately cruised to a decisive margin at home against Omahu Huias, of Hawke’s Bay, and thrashed the Taranaki representative, Waitara, in a quarterfinal.

Hornby’s uniform is similar to that of the national team, and its supporters must be thoroughly frustrated by the number of graduates from the Panthers to the Kiwis who have moved on.

Two-thirds of a test forward pack has passed through Leslie Park in the last couple of winters, yet Hornby has been forced to bow the knee to no-one. The loose forward, Gary McLauchlan, deserves much of the credit for Hornby’s continuing competitiveness.

McLauchlan’s sheer consistency, excellent basic skills, and high work-rate were evident at hooker and in the secondrow before circumstances caused his transition to the back of the scrum. He has with him a couple of particularly sturdy fellows in Jack Milford, whose mid-winter transfer back to Canterbury was timely, and lan Gear, a former front-row toiler who has recently developed a happy habit of ranging up in try-scor-ing positions.

Now that Mark Nixon is British-bound with the Junior Kiwis, the hooker, Michael Crawford, is, at 19 years of age, the youngest member of the team. There is nothing tentative about his strike rate in set play, however, and two tries at Waitara should further boost his confidence in the open. In recent weeks Lance

Setu and Phil Cross have virtually swapped positions. Setu, a former South Island centre, is once more in midfield after a. term as loose forward; Cross, a prolific try-scorer as an outside back, has adjusted smoothly to the second-row.

The trophy for leading try-scorer in the premier-

ship this season was shared by two Hornby players, Neville Woodham and Mark Nikara, and the (former Hornby) Halswell scrum-half, Brendon Tuuta.

Woodham, aged 20, has enjoyed a splendid debut season in premier football, while Nikara, who played previously in Auckland and Southland, displays some of the fanciest footwork in the grade.

The wings, Vaughan

Low and Allan Davidson, have undoubted finishing ability, and Steve Hann, moved from full-back to fill Nixon’s role at standoff half, has always performed many kilograms above his listed playing weight Northcote has a formidable lineup. Its backline boasts three Kiwis, Gary Freeman, Marty Crequer (ironically a Hornby product from junior to international ranks), and Shane Horo, a fleet attacking wing who has previously shown his liking for a firm surface at the Show Grounds.

The ful;-back, Greg Uoyd, has worn Northcote’s colours 207 times in a decade of premier football, the other wing, ! Robert Moimoi, represented South Island while with Otago University and Addington, and the standoff, Dean Birch, is a young man with plenty of potential. Chappie Pine, a secondrower, is aiming for a unique treble. He previously won national knockout tournaments with Petone and Manukau, a well a having represented four North Island provinces. But the forwards who will inevitably stand out the most are the fearsome Fue brothers, John and Peter, in the front-row. They lend their considerable weight to Northcote’s cause in the most basic, and usually most effective, manner.