Canterbury ‘ready’ for Cup match

Press, 13 May 1989, Page 92

Canterbury ‘ready’ for Cup match

By

JOHN COFFEY

Frank Endacott, the Canterbury coach, is expecting two backline changes to have a significant influence on his team’s Rugby League Cup challenge to Auckland at Carlaw Park tomorrow.

In a bid to achieve at least parity in an area where Auckland traditionally dominates its provincial rivals, Mr Endacott has positioned Andrew Vincent at stand-off half and promoted Darryl Henare to the right wing. Vincent, who spent some time in North Sydney’s No. 6 jersey during his “rookie” 1988 season,, has been pitted against the former New Zealand tour captain, Ron O’Regan.

The Auckland coach, Chmeron Bell, admitted yesterday that O’Regan had been recalled “because we weren’t very well organised against Wellington last weekend.”

“O’Regan’s a very physical player and we needed someone physical to mark him,” said Mr Endacott. “But Vincent is not just there for defensive reasons — he will be expected to do his share of attacking as well.”

The return of Vincent from injury has caused the demotion of Justin Wallace to the reserves and the omission of young Brett Rodger from the 17mari squad to travel north.

Knowledge of Carlaw Park conditions and the opposing players assisted Henare — himself a former Auckland representative — gain preference over the less seasoned Willy Naupu. Otherwise Canterbury has an unchanged lineup from that which opened its first division championship campaign with a 50-12 defeat of Bay of Plenty at Rotorua last Sunday. The recalling of O’Regan has prompted Mr Bell to shunt Kelly Shelford into the centres and Dean Clark to the reserves’ bench. Duanne Mann has displaced Peter Ropati at hooker and Tawera Nikau is in the second-row in-

stead of Shane Hansen from the side which beat Wellington, 12-6. “There is nothing between the forwards who have come in or gone out,” said Mr Bell. “I want to give all squad members a chance to play before the selectors.” A curious feature of the Auckland combination is the inclusion of six players and one reserve who have at some time in their careers played at starid-off half. Only one wing, Warren Mann, and a reserve, Robert Moi Moi, have always specialised among the outside backs.

Mr Bell’s intention to utilise the power and pace of Kevin Iro in the centres against Canterbury had to be shelved. The scorer of four tries in the last two Challenge Cup finals at Wembley has yet to report for Auckland duty.

“I guess we have to be somewhat relieved about that;” said Mr Endacott of Iro’s absence. “But it wouldn’t have worried me too much if he arrived home the day before the game and Auckland rushed him into the side.” “Auckland is strong, make no mistake, but it is far from unbeatable. I

believe Canterbury is ready, the attitude is right, training has been spot on, and we won’t be over-awed.

“If we play to our potential, and have that little bit of luck needed at Carlaw Park, we are capable of causing an upset,” he said.

“I have emphasised controlled football in our buildup. At times in Rotorua Canterbury did brilliant things. As the crowd switched allegiance and applauded us we tried to be brilliant from every play-the-ball and made mistakes. “I don’t care if we are boring in Auckland, so long as we have control of possession and get up quickly on defence to smother Auckland,” said Mr Endacott. “I’d be a fool to underestimate Canterbury. That was a tremendous result in Rotorua after the muck-ups in travel arrangements,” said Mr Bell. But he hinted Auckland should be approaching its potential this week — “Canterbury had its problems in its first game, against West Coast, as we did with Wellington. We needed that match, just as Canterbury did in Greymouth.” Teams.—

Auckland: Paddy Tuimavave (captain); Sam Panapa, Tea Ropati, Kelly Shelford, Warren Mann; Ron O’Regan, Phil Bancroft; Peter -Brown, Duanne Mann, Francis Leota; Mark Horo, Tawera Nikau; Tony Tuimavave. Reserves: Dean Clark, Peter Ropatai, Shane Hansen, Robert Moi Moi.

Canterbury: Paul Dunn; Darryl Henare, Mike Dorreen, Carl Hall, Whetu Taewa; Andrew Vincent, Neville Woodham; Russell Tuuta, Darren Twist, Glenn Grut; John Green (captain), Gary Leek; Logan Edwards. Reserves: Justin Wallace, Ron Simanu, Willy Naupu, Moko Rangiaho.