New arrival to captain Lions team

Press, 5 July 1983, Page 40

New arrival to captain Lions team

PA Napier The touring British Lions will field their three newest arrivals, one unexpectedly in the role of captain, when they turn out against Hawke’s Bay in their fifteenth tour match at McLean Park, Napier, tomorrow.

Prop Gerry McLoughlin, lock Donal Lenihan and halfback Steve Smith are three of the total of five replacements the Lions have been forced to bring out because of a rash of injuries. For Smith it is a particularly happy breakthrough. He will be captain in his first run in British colours — an honour which might compensate for his long and often disheartening flirtation with Lions selection.

England’s regular halfback for several seasons until his controversial rejection this season, Smith repeatedly distinguished himself in the five nations competition but was unable to break into a Lions side. Finally, in 1980, he was called on to join the British side in South Africa, then too as a late injury replacement, arriving on the day before the final test and last match of the tour. But he sat on the bench during the test and returned to Britain the next day. Smith felt so disheartened at the brevity of his tenure in the side that he removed the Lions insignia from his team blazer — he felt he was not qualified to wear it. Tomorrow he will wear it as of right in the unexpected role of captain. The Irishmen, Lenihan (lock) and McLoughlin (prop), will also make their Lions- debuts. Lenihan has reason to be

as pleased as Smith. He was in the original 30-man touring party, but though kitted out and virtually ready to step on the aeroplane, he did not make the trip. A hernia was diagnosed on the eve of departure and, reportedly, he returned to Ireland broken-hearted.

Injury to the Welshman, Robert Norster, two weeks ago has given Lenihan his chance.

The versatile McLoughlin, replacing the injured lan Stephens, will play on the loosehead side of the scrum, as he does for his county, Munster. The remainder of the side named for Napier was predictable, and includes only two of the beaten Carisbrook test side. Hawke’s Bay overcame a number of pressing injury problems late yesterday and named a strong side including two All Blacks, Frank Shelford and Graham Higginson. The teams are:— Lions: Dusty Hare, Trevor Ringland, David Irwin, Clive Woodward, Robert Ackerman, John Rutherford, Steve Smith (captain), John Beattie, Jim Calder, Donal Lenihan, Steve Boyle, Nick Jeavons, lain Milne, Colin Deans, Gerry McLoughlin. Reserves: Backs, Roy Laidlaw, Hugh Mac Neil!, Ollie Campbell. Forwards: Ciaran Fitzgerald, Graham Price, lain Paxton.

Hawke’s Bay: Ross O’Hallahan, Laurie Holmes, Ricky Allen, Peter Davis, Peter Daily, Peter O’Shaughnessy, Paul Blake, Ray Falcon, Perry Anson, Peter Fulford, Graham Higginson (captain), Frank Shelford, John O’Connor, Gary Gregory, Neil Porter. « The reserves will beamed today.