Shelford to lead Maoris

Press, 12 September 1988, Page 32

Shelford to lead Maoris

PA Wellington The All Black captain, Wayne Shelford, was yesterday named to lead the New Zealand Invitational Maori rugby team on its tour of France, Spain, Italy and Argentina next month. Four of his fellow All Blacks who toured Australia earlier this year — Zinzan Brooke, Jasin Goldsmith, Steve McDowell and Frano Botica — are in the 26-man team named for the 12match tour. But the list of past and possible future All Blacks in the side does not stop there. Hika Reid, who despite his tremendous form through the season, was overlooked as hooker for the All Blacks, has been given some consolation by being selected. Likewise, the Otago halfback, Dean Kenny, who was a junior All

Black a couple of seasons ago but then unwanted by the All Black selectors, gets a chance to prove his ability on tour. Paul Simonsson, the Waikato wing, who toured Japan with the All Blacks last year but was then discarded this season despite doing no wrong, is one of the wings along with Kawhena Woodman, of North Auckland, who toured Fiji in 1984. Arthur Stone, the electrifying midfield back who last played for the All Blacks in 1986 against the Wallabies, returns to international rugby, thanks to a new lease of life given to his game by the Otago coach, Laurie Mains.

Other promising players named in the team include North Auckland’s ■ outstanding fullback, Warren Johnston, the Otago wing, John Timu, the

Auckland halfback, Brett Iti, the Auckland locks, Robin and Marty who are brothers of the All Black Zinzan and the big North Harbour prop, Mike Te Paa.

One noticeable omission was the lock Paul Tuoro, who returned from Western Australia in a bid to make the touring team. Meanwhile, the New Zealand Rugby Union said Shelford, who earlier was reportedly contemplating not going because of the marked difference in daily allowance, which is less than for a full Maori All Black side, had agreed to lead the side.

The 26-man New Zealand Maoris team to tour France with deviations to Italy, Spain and Argentina is:— Fullbacks: Warren Johnston (North Auckland), Lindsay Raki (Counties). Wings: Paul Simonsson (Waikato),: John Timu (Otago), Kawhena Woodman

(North Auckland). Centres: Rhys Ellison (Otago), Jasin Goldsmith (Waikato). Second five-eighths: ■ Wiremu Maunsell (Canterbury), Arthur Stone (Otago). First five-eighths: Frano Botica. Halfbacks: Dean Kenny (Otago), Brett Iti (Auckland). No 8s: Zinzan Brooke (Auckland), Wayne Shelford (captain) (North Harbour). Flankers: Paul Leonard (North Harbour), Eric Rush (Auckland). Locks: Marty Brooke (Auckland), Robin Brooke (Auckland), Liston Heke (Waikato), Glen Mason (Marlborough). Props: Steve Hotton (Otago), Chris Kapene (Wairarapa Bush), Steve McDowell (Auckland), Mike Te Paa (North Harbour). Hookers: Bruce Hemara (Manawatu), Hika Reid (Wellington). Coach: Mattie Blackburn. Assistant coach: Bill Bush. Manager: Keith Pearson. Doctor: Don Dailey. Physio: Neil Familton.