Wayne Wallace to remain in second-row

Press, 19 July 1989, Page 68

Wayne Wallace to remain in second-row

By

JOHN COFFEY

Whether Wayne Wallace or Barry Harvey fills one of the hooking positions for New Zealand’s rugby league tour later this year will not be decided when Canterbury meets Wellington at the Basin Reserve on July 30. This country’s two most experienced hookers in terms of international and provincial play are probably vying for the understudy role behind the current test choice, Duane Mann, of Auckland. But the Canterbury coach, Frank Endacott, intends to utilise Wallace’s all-round forward and leadership skills in the second-row against Wellington. Mann had a rousing test debut against Australia at Rotorua last Sunday, and now holds all of the high cards in a four-sided contest for the two hooking spots on the tour to Britain and France. The other candidate is Peter Ropati, also of Auckland. For the domestic season Mann and Ropati alternated in the Auckland front-row. However, Mann was preferred for the Kiwi trial, from which he earned selection in the President’s XIII and displaced Harvey after the first test. At 95kg and 23 years of age, Mann also has size and youth on his side. Harvey is the next youngest at 24, ahead of Ropati (28) and Wallace (29). It is probable that Harvey still retains second ranking in the thoughts of

the national selectors, who have not seen Wallace at representative level this season because of injury and suspension. Mr Endacott said he was conscious of Wallace’s situation and would even be open to advice from the New Zealand panel. With another Kiwi trial not practicable because of the heavy playing programme, Wallace could have matched strikes with Harvey in their final inter-provincial game of the year. “But I’ve spoken to Wayne about it, and we agree he will be more of an asset to lead Canterbury from the secondrow,” said Mr Endacott. While Wallace was off the scene his Hornby club-mate, Michael Crawford, became Canterbury’s hooker — "and as far as I’m concerned he hasn’t let us. down,” said Mr Endacott. “Wayne agreed it would be no problem. We both know that the selectors are fully aware he can hook a bit. “I didn’t want to spoil Wayne’s chances, so we talked about it. The way Wayne organised things against Southern Provinces from the secondrow suited our game plan. He- can’t do it as well froin dummy-half because he has to worry too much about clearing the ball. “But then you never know. If the selectors need reminding, or the situation occurs, he might go in? there (to hooker) at some; stage of the game,” said Mr Endacott.