League team confident of improvement

Press, 24 April 1979, Page 44

League team confident of improvement

A shoulder injury suffered! by Robin Alfeld while playing for Hornby against Linwood on Sunday has caused an eleventh-hour reshuffle of the Canterbury rugby league team's back-line for the match against Wellington at Lower Hutt this evening. In Alfeld’s absence, Michael O’Donnell has reverted to his international position of full-back and Kevin Franklin — who was not originally available — has replaced O'Donnell in the centre.

The Canterbury coach (Mr Trevor Bisman) said yesterday that the match would be used to build up for the national trials and the Rothmans inter-provincial tournament later in the season. However, he is also very keen for Canterbury to improve on its suprisingly dismal record in away fixtures with Wellington. Canterbury has won only once in the last 15 years, its sole victory being achieved in 1975, when it went on to gain possession of the Rothmans Cup. Mr Bisman. if disappointed at the loss of several experienced representatives, is enthusiastic about the mobility of the Canterbury side, and particularly the predominantly youthful forward pack. There is plenty of pace provided by the back three of the scrum, Barry Edkins, Wayne Wallace and Derek McLaughlan. Edkins has quickly slipped back into the impressive form which earned him New Zealand honours last winter, Wallace showed extreme promise at provincial level, and it would be surprising if McLaughlan does not take the promotion in his stride.

I The moving of Mark Broadhurst and Paul Truscott to join Rex Dalzell in the front-row should not dent Canterbury’s chances. Broadhurst has been an outstanding success as a prop in the past, and Truscott has made a smooth adjustment to the hooking role without his all-round play being affected. Wally Wilson, Mocky Brereton, O’Donnell and now Franklin have the task of guiding the less seasoned Mark Vincent, Cliff Leney and Rick Odering among the backs, Brereton. in his fortyninth appearance for his adopted province, has fused a fine combination with Franklin in club football, and is adept at linking smoothly when O'Donnell chooses to enter the line. Canterbury has plenty of depth in its goal-kicking. Mr Bisman intends to use O’Donnell as the first choice, with Edkins. Leney and Dalzell qualified to assume the responsibility if necessary. Mr Bisman has made his preparations without any, knowledge of the composition of the Wellington team. It is known, though, that the 1978 captain-coach, John O’Sullivan, and the sturdy prop, Brian Jolley, have returned to Auckland, but he has the utmost re. spect for the former Kiwi, John Whittaker, at loose forward, and the formidable crash-tackling centre, Jake Jacobsen. “We have a lot of things in our favour, and the strength and speed required to win. If given a firm ground, Canterbury should begin its programme on a happy note,” Mr Bisman said.