Eight Forwards In Marist’s Vital Game

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31113, 16 July 1966, Page 17

Eight Forwards In Marist’s Vital Game

Marist will play eight forwards in its vital Rugby League championship match against Hornby at the Show Grounds tomorrow.

The veteran second-row forward, L. Mulcare, will play at scrum-half and the promising young loose forward, D. R. Baird, has retained his full-back position from last week. Baird has the speed and the handling ability of a full-back but his positional play is understandably suspect. While Mulcare will still be able to give his outstanding best as a defensive player Marist will lose him as a forward leader and the Hornby scrum-half, R. A. Nieman, could be too nippy from set play. In an effort to control the Hornby stand-off, J. M. Bray, Marist will play R. J. A. McKenzie at loose forward. McKenzie's harrassing tactics could upset the Hornby inside backs and stop them from getting the ball to their . fast centres. Should this move fail Bray’s agility could prove vital. The forward packs should be evenly matched but Hornby’s superior team-work and ability to move the ball around to set up constructive play will allow the championship holder to taxe the field a strong favourite. Should Marist lose Hornby will probably have a sevenpoint lead with only four matches remaining. Linwood is expected to defeat Sydenham and Addington should have only a few problems against Christchurch. This would put Marist down to fourth.

In the Papanui-Kaiapoi match it will be interesting to see if Kaiapoi can continue the fine form that allowed it to beat Linwood last week. The return of G. R. Cooper

and the fine partnership he formed with the Kaiapoi captain-coach, J. E. Bond—who should take his points tally from 98 to beyond the century mark—could harness the Papanui pack to some extent, but Bond will need to win the scrums from K. R. Blackler and stifle the speedy Papanui three-quarters.