N.Z.U. Rugby Team Strong In Backs

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31080, 8 June 1966, Page 15

N.Z.U. Rugby Team Strong In Backs

rpHERE will be many prox ipinent players—-particu-larly in the backs—left out of the New Zealand Universities Rugby team which will play the Lions at Lancaster Park on June 22. The New Zealand Universities side will be chosen after the North-South Universities match at Dunedin today and games against Otago and Southland. It is in the backs that the selectors—Dr. J. D. Stewart and Messrs D. B. Rope and L. T. Savage—will have their main problems. C. R. Laidlaw is certain to be half-back but there will be stem competition for the five-eighths positions. At first five-eighths are two internationals, E. W. Kirton and R. G. Simmers, who played two games for Scotland last year. W. A. Davies,

G. F. Kember, the North Island representative and D. R. Edward who has played for Otago, I. N. Uttley, a 1963 All Black, will be competing for places in the midfield backs. At full-back there is a similar wealth of talent M. W. Williment would appear to be certain of selection, but Davies, D. C. Leary, E. S. Taylor (Otago) and M. C. Cormack are all accomplished players. The forwards do not present quite the same rosy picture. However, there are many capable loose forwards, such as J. Rumball (Manawatu), W. R. Strang (Victoria), G. L. Hennanason (Victoria) as well as G. T. Pohlen, J. N. Creighton, K. J. O’Shannessey and T. K. McDonald who are experienced provincial players.