Bookshelf

Press, 2 December 1987, Page 48

Bookshelf

Radio New Zealand Rugby Annual, edited by Bob Howitt Moa Publications. 157 pp. $29.95. Rugby needed a successful inaugural World Cup to restore credibility in a sport still smouldering from the blast generated by the Cavaliers tour of South Africa the previous year.

Rugby got its wish, the administrators and the public were appeased, the all-conquering All Blacks were restored to hero status. There were many savoury moments during the appetising fare served up by the World Cup and the All Blacks, their coach and (on field) captain all received their due rewards at the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year dinner last month. The seventeenth edition of the Rugby Annual relives that historic happening through the months of May and June. Almost a third of the book is devoted to the World Cup, the comprehensive prose laced with excellent pictorial coverage, including some colour photographs. Two shots of the Canterbury member of the All Black selection panel, Alex Wyllie, provide undeniable proof that Mr Wyllie has an expansive smile.

Mr Howitt viewed the season as one of triumph and enormous encourage- " _____ 'T

ment which emerged from rugby’s gloom. But he warned that the administration could ill afford to relax because the game was burgeoning.

“The administrators’ role now must be to ensure that the players are well catered for, that coaches are coached, that the public interest is maintained. That is their chief mission in 1988.

"They must also work on shoring up those unions whose resources are being severely depleted through their participation in the national championship,” Mr Howitt said in his season’s review.

It was vital that the All Blacks regain the Bledisloe Cup from Australia in the one-off test in Sydney in July to prove to Alan Jones and the Wallabies once and for all which was the best team in 1987.

As Mr Howitt says, a loss then would have been a fearful anti-climax. But the All Blacks cast aside the euphoria accompanying their World Cup win and reverted back to the dedication and discipline which brought them the Webb Ellis Trophy. New Zealand’s 30-16 win said it all.

New Zealand’s tour of France in the later part of 1986 is well documented and the high profile All

Black flanker, Michael Jones, who prefers to keep a low profile off the field, is the subject of an enlightening interview. For its five “players of the year,” the Annual plumps for three Aucklanders, Jones, John Kirwan and Alan Whetton, the Wellington fullback, John Gallagher, and the latest in the line of All Black captains, Wayne Shelford, the leader of the promoted team to the national first division, North Harbour. All five contributed much to the tremendous year for the All Blacks, but this reviewer feels that Sean Fitzpatrick should have found a place in the five, ahead of Whetton. His line-out throwing, all-round play and ability to score .tries at crucial times were of immense value to New Zealand.

The national championship in its three divisions, the Ranfurly Shield and youth rugby are covered in depth, but Canterbury readers might be disappointed that their team did not get more recognition for retaining the South Pacific championship, , although it had to share the title with Auckland.

In the first division summary, Canterbury’s best performance was deemed to be against Counties and the most outstanding individual performance was that by Andy Earl in the same match. The outstanding player was judged to be Shayne Philpott; Stephen Dods was rated as the most improved player, and Mark Vincent was chosen as the most promising player. — R.L.S.