Coach orders Southland players off cloud nine

Press, 24 June 1989, Page 92

Coach orders Southland players off cloud nine

BOB SCHUMACHER

Southland’s 12-7 rugby victory against France last week was a wonderful tonic for the second division team. Understandably the players were on cloud nine for some time, but their coach, Barry Leonard, has ensured that they are back on earth for tomorrow’s match against Canterbury. “They have been told loud and clear that the France match is now something of the past — in fact we have made it harder on ourselves by beating France. “The public only remember you for your last game, if we lose on Sunday they will say the French win was only a flash in the pan. But they are the ones that pay the money as they come through the gate and we have to keep them satisfied.” Apart from inflicting the first loss on the French, Southland gave a i spirited performance and scored three tries when beaten by Otago, 40-21, earlier this month. On its home ground at the Homestead Stadium, Southland is always to be respected and it was only a late try and the conver-

sion that gave Canterbury an 18-16 victory last year. “We had our chance, I thought we had it won,” Mr Leonard, who was in his first year as coach, recalled yesterday. Mr Leonard placed little value on Canterbury’s one win-five loss record this season — “the new coach is probably finding his feet with the players and vice cersa” but he said his team found it hard to believe that the former All Blacks, Wayne Smith and Warwick Taylor, were only reserves. Mr Leonard said that he was going to request the same commitment from his players tomorrow as they disclosed against the French. “They were totally committed in their tackling, in chasing the ball, in scrummaging and I want the same again. But whatever the outcome I want them to play well, that is the main thing.”

Mr Leonard said that the match was vital to Southland’s national championship preparation, but while he was looking to improve on last season’s fourth placing in the second division competition he was not especially keen on topping the

table. “Honestly I don’t think we want to make the first division next year, we’re not really ready yet.” Canterbury’s 75-3 win against West Coast last Sunday was quite astounding given . the slushy ground surface, the passing, handling and running all of a most agreeable standard. Whether those madcap manoeuvres in the mud can be transformed into similar frolics on the firm footing which is expected tomorrow is a question which only 15 Canterbury players can answer. However, the Canterbury backline functioned well ’ enough for Frank Jack to make no change, Smith and Taylor staying the reserves as Greg Coffey and Stephen Bachop have their third outing together as the fiveeighths. Perhaps the only flaw in Canterbury’s backline makeup last Sunday was the occasional tackling lapse in midfield. Andrew McCormick and Bachop suffered the indignity of failing to bring down their quarry, although the cover defence closed too quickly for the prey to escape.

The Canterbury Country captain, Kevin Hill, a strong scrummager, will have the cchance to command a regular place as prop in the Canterbury A team, and the lean and lanky New Zealand Universities lock, John Jackson, has his opportunity to strike a rapport with his captain, Albert Anderson, in the engine room of the scrum. The Southland team is unchanged from that which brought the French to heel. Canterbury will be well advised to be on its best behaviour because the Southland fullback, Eion Crossan, proved against France that 50m goal kicks are not beyond him. The teams are:— Canterbury: Robbie Deans; Paula Bale, Andrew McCormick, Wiremu Maunsell; Stephen Bachop, Greg Coffey; Graeme Bachop; Chris England; Murray Henderson, Albert Anderson (captain), John Jackson, Robin Penney; Kevin Hill, John Buchan, Tala Keie. Southland: Eion Crossan; Philip Johnston, Stephen Bulmer, Bruce Pascoe; Murray Brown (captain), Simon Culhane; Bobby Murrell; Rata Smith; David Henderson, Brian McDonald, Murray Hewitson, Brent Shepherd; Peter Henderson, Brent Youle, Russell Palmer.