Fijian wing has ability, says Jack

Press, 23 May 1989, Page 38

Fijian wing has ability, says Jack

PA Wellington A Fijian wing, Paula Bale, chosen for South Zone to play North Zone tomorrow, has the ability to make it to the top in New Zealand rugby, the Canterbury coach, Frank Jack, said yesterday. “He’s a fast, strong lad,” Mr Jack said of the 25-year-old former Fijian schools sprint champion.

“He is elusive and has a good pair of hands, and it looks like he has the temperament to make it to the top.” Bale, who last year played in the Bay of Plenty, is married to a Christchurch woman.

He has played once for Canterbury — in its 28-31 loss to Wellington at Athletic Park on May 7.

“As far as the match against Wellington was concerned, he was still on trial and he came though with flying colours,” Mr Jack said. “I am looking forward to working with him.” Bale comes into the South line-up in the place of South Canterbury’s Craig Dorgan, who has still not recovered from the leg injury that put him out of the clash against Central Zone two weeks ago.

Two other changes have been made to the South side because of injury.

The convenor of selec-

tors, Alex Wyllie, said the Otago lock, Gordon Macpherson, would replace provincial team-mate Richard Knight, while Canterbury’s Dallas Seymour would come in for Otago’s Brent Pope at No 8.

However, there appears to be some doubt about Seymour’s fitness, although the extent of any injury he might have received during Saturday’s club matches has not been confirmed.

Canterbury rugby officials said Seymour went off during his game, but did not expect any further information until the referee’s report today. Neither Mr Wyllie nor Mr Jack said they knew what injury Seymour might have sustained.

Changes have also been made in the North team, with Aucklander Robin Brooke coming into the reserves instead of brother Marty, who was likewise injured on Saturday.

As well, the Waikato All Black, Richard Loe, originally chosen for the starting line-up, will now sit on bench, allowing North Harbour’s Ron Williams some exposure to the selectors. Teams:— North Zone: Richard Cole, Paul Simonsson, Bernie McCahill, Terry Wright, Walter Little, Grant Fox, Kevin Putt, Wayne Shelf ord (captain), Michael Jones, lan Jones, Richard Jerram, Zinzan Brooke, Steve McDowall, Warren Gatland, Ron Williams. Reserves: Matthew Ridge, lan Wood, Paul McGahan, Robin Brooke, Richard Loe, Graham Dowd.

South Zone: Greg Cooper, John Timu, Wiremu Maunsell, Craig Dorgan, Stephen Cottrell, Stephen Bachop, Bruce Deans, Dallas Seymour, Paul Henderson, Gordon Macpherson, Albert Anderson, Andy Earl, Chris Earl, John Buchan, Tarita Sio. Reserves: Andrew McCormick, lan Stark, Graeme Bachop, David Morgan, Lee MacDonald, (one more to be named).