Young league players to join British club

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 44

Young league players to join British club

By

JOHN COFFEY

Two of Canterbury’s most promising rugby league players, Stuart Simcott and Walter Wilson, plan to team up with Rochdale Hornets In the British second division. Simcott and Wilson toured England with the unbeaten Junior Kiwis late last year, returning to enjoy successful seasons. A forceful second-row forward, Simcott made his first-class debut for Canterbury against Auckland at Carlaw Park after having represented Canterbury Emerging Players. Wilson earned the fullback position in the Halswell club side which retained the Canterbury championship and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Lion Red Cup tournament. Although they have joined up with Rochdale to further their rugby

league experience, Simcott and Wilson, both 19 years of age, have close ties with Britain. Born in Chester, about 45 minutes drive from Rochdale, Simcott came to New Zealand with his family when he was four

years old. Wilson was born in New Zealand of British parents. When he was in England with the Junior Kiwis his Scottish relatives hired a bus to travel to one of the fixtures. Their heritage entitles Simcott and Wilson to carry British passports, valuble documents in rugby league terms during an era in which British clubs are restricted to three “overseas” players. Rochdale officials offered accommodation and employment to complement their football earnings. The club has made a most promising start to its second division campaign. The most recent Canterbury connection with Rochdale occurred in 1985-86, when Phil Bancroft made 19 appearances for the club.