Kirk may miss varsity match

Press, 21 November 1987, Page 96

Kirk may miss varsity match

NZPA-AFP Oxford, David Kirk, the skipper of New Zealand’s World Cup winning team, is likely to miss the English rugby union university match between Oxford and Cambridge next month.' The combative scrumhalf, who has played just one game this term, was again absent with shoulder trouble when Oxford lost to Stanley’s team, 1933. And the Oxford captain, Bill Calcraft, the Australian international flanker, admitted: “Kirk’s got to be doubtful. It’s a most unusual injury, a persistent muscle problem under the left shoulder.” The expectation was that the gifted Kirk, playing in the most influential position, would guarantee a hat-trick of Oxford wins at Twickenham, London, on December 8.

Calcraft has three options — tb Insist on a fitness test in a match for Kirk, play him without match practice and risk him breaKlng down against Cambridge, or write him off.

This problem is adding to the strain of leadership for Calcraft, who is finding his role “a hell, of a job, time-consuming and real hard work.” He added: "It will be totally rewarding if I can be sunning myself on a Sydney beach the week after the meeting with Cambridge, reflecting on a win.”