Continuation of test form sought

Press, 6 July 1988, Page 68

Continuation of test form sought

By

DAVID LEGGAT,

of NZPA in Canberra

The All Black captain-for-the-day, Gary Whetton, will look for the good work of the first test to rub off on the team when it meets Australian Capital Territory at Seiffert Oval in Canberra today.

It will be Whetton’s first match as captain of the All Blacks in 58 games. As one of four players in the triumphant test side at Concord Oval on Sunday he wants to carry on that level of performance against what is expected to be moderate opposition. He also regards today’s match as a chance for non-test players to put pressure on first-choice players, even though the 32-7 win over the Wallabies showed no player deserved to be omitted on form.

“The guys always like to keep the pressure on each other and play for test spots, so I think it’s a matter of us taking up where the team left off last Sunday,” Whetton said after a light training run in steady drizzle yesterday. “One thing about this team, no-one takes his position for granted. While it will be hard for Alex Wyllie to change a winning team there’s always this game and the Queensland game. The pressure’s on everyone to perform.” He regards his appointment as captain as an honour and believes it will help his game. Whetton came on as a replacement for the fellow test lock, Murray Pierce, when the All Blacks played A.C.T. four years ago.

“That was a hard game; these guys ard fairly physical and they’ve got a

pretty good record down here. Most times there is a lull after a big high so we’re well aware of the dangers,” he said. One player who missed training yesterday was the Canterbury lock, Albert Anderson. He has a mild case of influenza but is still included in today’s lineup. The All Blacks will be playing their ninth match in Canberra since 1938, although one was against a Southern New South Wales team and the first was against a side known as Federal Capital Territory. All eight matches were won, two by a 52point margin. The match, which is expected to draw a crowd of about 6000-7000, will be refereed by an American official, Don Reardon, of San Diego, who is in Australia on a refereeing exchange programme. Teams. — All Blacks: John Gallagher; Jasin Goldsmith, Bernie McCahill, Terry Wright; John Schuster, Frano Botica; Graeme Bachop; Andy Earl; Zinzan Brooke, Gary Whetton (captain), Albert Anderson, Michael Jones; Ron Williams, Warren Gatland, Kevin Boroevich.

A.C.T: Adam Friend; Craig Morton, Brad Girvan, Paul Cornish, Phil Alehin; Michael Apps, Philip Doyle; Mark Mclnnes; Frank Lopilato, Henry Kasprzak, Mark Sinderberry, Greg Scott; Leigh Donnellan (captain), Jim Taylor, Geoff Didier.

0 The veteran wing, Peter Grigg, is to make a

late bid to regain a place in the Wallaby team for the second rugby test against the All Blacks in Brisbane on July 16. Grigg, who has played many times against New Zealand teams both for Queensland and Australia, was picked in the Queensland side to play the tourists next Sunday at Ballymore in his customary right wing position. However, the bearded wing, a Wallaby tourist to New Zealand in 1982, 1985 and 1986, has asked the coach, Bob Templeton, if he can switch to the left wing, almost certainly marking John Kirwan, to prove he is worthy of a test recall. The star Wallaby breakaway, Jeff Miller, will also make a bid to return to the Australian test side. Miller, a certainty for the first test side, was ruled out with a damaged eye suffered • a day before the Wallaby team for the international was announced.

Provided he produces a strong performance at Ballymore, Miller seems sure to return for the second international. The Queensland team is.— Greg Martin; Peter Grigg; Anthony Herbert, Michael Cook, Anthony Knox; Michael Lynagh (captain); Peter Slattery; Brendon Nasser; Jeff Miller, Rod McCall,. Ilaitia Savai, Julian Gardner; Rob Lawton, Tom Lawton, Andy Mclntyre.

Reserves: Richard Tombs, Mitchell Palm, Steve Tait, Owain Williams, Dan Crowley, Mark Mcßain.