Selectors retain test XV

Press, 26 June 1989, Page 40

Selectors retain test XV

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

In spite of the week's delay in announcing the All Black test team for the second international against France at Eden Park on Saturday, the release yesterday confirmed most beliefs — that it would remain unchanged. New Zealand was not without its shortcomings in winning the first test at Lancaster Park, 25-17, but then the team was only reuniting after almost 11 months of separation.

Some flaws were not unexpected, and while there were deficiencies in the scrum, times of inattention on the blind, and a few bumblings afong the backline, the All Blacks did win and they are likely to strip a more confident and competent unit in Auckland on Saturday. The All Black coach, Alex Wyllie, said after the first test he saw no pressing need to approve the same team with the second test nearly a

fortnight in advance, but he reaffirmed his faith in the 21 players who were at Lancaster Park by retaining them. By holding back the team Mr Wyllie and his fellow selectors,’ John Hart and Lane Penn, were able to evaluate the form of the bulk of the players on Saturday, with Auckland opposing Hawke’s Bay in a national first division championship match at Napier and Wellington meeting and beating the French at Athletic Park. The All Black centres, John Schuster (Wellington) and Joe Stanley (Auckland) were two who suffered from communication breakdown in the first test, but, by all accounts, both had encouraging games for their provinces, Schuster ghosting through France’s defensive screen, Stanley crunching into the Hawke’s Bay backs and setting up second-phase possession from which Auckland profited.

It may well be though that the second test will be a test in the truest sense of the word for two or three players. It was always unlikely that Mr Wyllie and company would experiment against the Five Nations champion, France, but Argentina next month may be an entirely different proposition. The second test team is:— John Gallagher (Wellington); John Kirwan (Auckland), Joe Stanley (Auckland), Terry Wright (Auckland); John Schuster (Wellington), Grant Fox (Auckland); Bruce Deans (Canterbury), Wayne Shelford (North Harbour, captain); Michael Jones (Auckland), Gary Whetton (Auckland), Murray Pierce (Wellington), Alan Whetton (Auckland); Richard Loe (Waikato), Sean Fitzpatrick (Auckland), Steve McDowell (Bay of Plenty).

Reserves: Backs: Graeme Bachop (Canterbury), Frano Botica (North Harbour), Bernie McCahill (Auckland). Forwards: Zinzan Brooke (Auckland), Ron Williams (North Harbour), Warren Gatland (Waikato).