New names in rugby squad?

Press, 11 September 1989, Page 40

New names in rugby squad?

By 808 SCHUMACHER Although the Canterbury team to play North Auckland in the National Mutual first division rugby championship at Lancaster Park on Wednesday will: not be named until after training this evening, two names from outside the squad might appear in the reserves.

The lip injury suffered by the Marist first fiveeighths, Greg Coffey,, in training before the

Taranaki match on the recent northern tour has yet to heal properly. Coffey, who had several stitches inserted in the wound, has elected to stand down for Wednesday’s match. .

Another withdrawal from the squad is the University prop, Tavita Sio, who has played seven times for the province this season and is only two games short of gaining his first Canterbury blazer.

Sio will leave for Australia soon where he will get married. Before adding anyone to the Canterbury squad, the coach, Frank Jack, was to receive a report on how Canterbury B fared against Otago B on Saturday.-

He would have welcomed the news that Canterbury B, continuing on from its meritorious victory against Auckland B the previous Saturday, was an emphatic';. 64-14

winner, emphasising the present depth in Canterbury rugby. North Auckland’s confidence must have nosedived after it slumped to a 33-18 loss at home to lowly Taranaki on Saturday. The result . rgave North Auckland a three win-four loss record this season and equal sixth place on the 11-team table. . The North Auckland team arrives in Christchurch tomorrow.