Absent Schuster a worry

Press, 21 August 1989, Page 44

Absent Schuster a worry

PA Wellington The All Black second five-eighths JJohn Schuster’s place in the Wellington representative rugby squad for this week’s mini tour of the North Island looks to be in jeopardy unless he shows up for training tonight. Schuster is still in Western Samoa monitoring the health of his brother who was seriously hurt in a motor accident nearly two weeks ago. There was hope the Wellington back would be back in time for iSatur-

day’s ’ match against Hawke’s Bay; but that was dashed and 1 attention is •< now focused loir whether Schuster can get back to join the J squad for Wednesday’s game against Waikato <qr Saturday’s against fjoiih Auckland. The Wellington team manager, Don Bond, said yesterday it was a case at present of “no news being good news” as far as Schuster was concerned. “We haven’t heard from him for a few days but are expecting a call any time to keep us up to date with what’s happening. Apart from his brother’s

condition, there are flight schedules and seat availability to consider, so we need to know what’s going on,” Mr Bond said. Wellington leaves tomorrow to play Waikato and North Auckland with the satisfaction of a useful enough, 35-4, win over Hawke’s Bay behind it. Almost as important as the win was the need for Wellington players to have 80 minutes of competitive rugby after the disjointed club season ended in too many representative players either being denied games or beifl given sub-standard

ones. . It was two months since the side beat France, 2423, and there were clear signs that the interrupted programme did nothing for team work or timing. Even if Schuster fails to rejoin the team, Wellington has been reassured that Dave Rennie is going to serve them well in his place. The Upper Hutt back missed a tackle or two, but made a lot of play for Wellington against the Bay and left the impression that he could be a bigger explosion if paired with Schuster. A