Chance for Botica

Press, 22 July 1989, Page 88

Chance for Botica

NZPA Brisbane All Black defections have taken some of the prestige out of tomorrow’s rugby match beween the Anzac XV and the British Lions, but the occasion has much personal significance for the perennial All Black bench warmer, Frano Botica. One of New Zealand’s three representatives in the Anzac team, Botica is hoping to convince the All Black selectors that he can perform at top international level outside his normal first fiveeighths position, at second five-eighths. “I’m trying to show I can play in another position. So maybe I can push into a new position rather than sitting on the bench as reserve first five for Grant Fox,” he said. Anzac side: Kieran Crowley, lan Williams, Dominic Maguire. Frano Botica, David Campese, Michael Lynagh, Nick Farr-Jones, Tim Gavin, Jeff Miller, Simon Poidevin, Bill Campbell, Steve Cutler, Andy Mclntyre, Mark Mcßain, Steve McDowell. Lions: Gavin Hastings, leuan Evans, Brendan Mullin, John Devereux, Scott Hastings, Craig Chalmers, Robert Jones, Derek White, Andy Robinson, Mike Teague, Robert Norster, Paul Ackford, David Young, Brian Moore, David Sole.