Debut for Philpott

Press, 19 July 1988, Page 40

Debut for Philpott

By DAVID LEGGAT, of NZPA in Gosford

The Canterbury utility back, Shayne Philpott, will make his All Black debut at fullback against New South Wales B tomorrow.

The versatile Burnside club player, who joined the tour party on Thursday as a replacement for the Aucklander Bernie McCahill, will step in for the hardworking regular test fullback, John Gallagher. The Wellington policeman stands down for only the second time out of 10 games on a personally gruelling tour. The All Black coach, Alex Wyllie, hinted that Philpott could have the job of fitting in to rest the first choice backs in the

next three games leading up to the third and final test in Sydney.

“Here the idea is to give John a rest — and he badly needed one,” Mr Wyllie said. Philpott is no stranger to fullback. He has played at second five-eighth, centre, wing and fullback for Canterbury in his 24 matches since his debut in the 1986 season.

The 22-year-old will have the added responsibility of taking the kicks at goal tomorrow, although there will be backup from the first fiveeighth, Frano Botica. The other point of interest in the All Black side named after a long training session yesterday is the return of the second five-eighth, Warwick Tay-

lor. Teams:— All Blacks: Shayne Philpott; Jasin Goldsmith, Joe Stanley, Terry Wright; Warwick Taylor, Frano Botica; Graeme Bachop; Andy Earl; Mike Brewer, Albert Anderson (captain), Murray Pierce, Zinzan Brooke; Kevin Boroevich, Warren Gatland, Ron Williams. Reserves: John Gallagher, John Schuster, Bruce Deans; Michael Jones, Richard Loe, Sean Fitzpatrick. New South Wales B: Martin Roebuck; Geoff White, Andrew Parkes, lan Vest, Paul Meehan; Peter Tonkin, Brad Burke (captain); Cameron Douglas; David Reen, Gavin Boneham, Jim Fewtrell, Tim Kava; Andrew Blades, Steve Kowalick, Geoff Bucknell. Reserves: Darren Quince, Dominic Vaughan, Phil Kearns, Adrian Skeggs, Gary Palmer (one to be added).