BACKS ARE KEY TO LIONS PRODUCING ‘NEW LOOK’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31092, 22 June 1966, Page 15

BACKS ARE KEY TO LIONS PRODUCING ‘NEW LOOK’

<By Our Rugby Reporter) The British Lions, after their defeats by Southland and Otago; their trials and tribulations against Combined at Timaru, face a vital game against New Zealand Universities at Lancaster Park today.

They must seize their opportunities to show that their test wins in Australia are a far more valid pointer to their ability’ than the scrambling form they have shown in New Zealand.

The Lions may not necessarily win—but they must play the Rugby expected from an international team. Defeats can be excused; indifferent and even inefficient Rugby cannot.

To the Lions today's game, devoid of the emotionalism that can attend a provincial match is their chance to achieve a Rugby rehabilitation. They must know that they not only have to convince the New Zealand Rugby public but also themselves of their ability. Their Strength One feels that they can do it. The greatest strength of the Lions today will be their fleet-footed backs. If they, and the mercurial Watkins at first five-eighths, can impose some attacking self-discipline, then they should be too strong for the Universities’ team. The Lions’ forwards under the leadership of Pask, knowing that their task is to gain quick possession for their backs, might be a different proposition from the packs that decided to slug it out with Southland, Combined and Otago.

If the Lions’ forwards can gain some parity, then it could be a highly entertaining match. The Universities have not the efficiently drilled and conditioned packs that the Lions have met so far, and also the

Universities will respond to any challenge to play open Rugby. A back-line which includes Laidlaw has a great advantage and his play might be the key factor in the match. His long, spinning passes will give Kember a chance to start a very good back-line on attacking Rugby. Davies, recalled again, is an astute second five-eighths, Prain a sound centre and Montgomery and Osborne speedy wings. With the skilful Williment at full-back, and a full-back who has an attacking flair, these players could add a pungent pinch to the Rugby pot which should boil quite merrily at Lancaster Park. Watkins may be the man-of-the-match for the Lions. His odd flights of fancy in the Southland game, although providing some entertainment, did not assist his forwards or bring any rhythm into the back-line. But he has men outside him —Jones, Bresnihan, Hinshelwood and Savage—who can produce some brilliant Rugby —if they get the chance. One can only hope they will do so. Teams:—

LIONS.— D. Rutherford; K. F. Savage, B. Bresnihan, C. W. MeFadyean, A. J. W. Hinshelwood; D. Watkins; A. R. Lewis; A. E. I. Pask (captain); G. J. Prothero. W. J. Mcßride, W. D. Thomas, D. Grant; D. L. Powell, F. A. L. Laidlaw, H. D. Norris.

UNIVERSITIES.— M. Williment; A. Osborne, K. Prain, D. Montgomery; W. A. Davies, G. F. Kember; C. R. Laidlaw; G. Hermansson (captain); H. D. Barton, G. J. Pohlen, P. Lindesay, D. Wilson; K. McDonald, K. J. O’Shannessy, H. Meech.