New coach at helm

Press, 12 February 1986, Page 45

New coach at helm

Paul Truscott was a logical choice when Linwood was sifting through candidates for the position of premier coach. His own association with the club's top team extends back more than a decade, and Truscott accumulated a wealth of experience in representative rugby league.

Since his first-class debut for Canterbury and as a Kiwi trialist in 1978, Truscott has proved himself to be one of this country’s most effective forwards in a variety of positions.

He went on to play the first of his 16 matches for South Island when the inter-district championship was introduced in 1979. Last winter he ex-

tended his appearances for Canterbury to 30.

Among the many highlights of a notable career at hooker, prop and second-row were the 1980 defeat of Australia by South Island, and Canterbury’s 1985 triumphs in winning and retaining the Rugby League Cup and beating the British premiership holder, St Helens. But Truscott has decided to give preference to coaching Linwood in the season ahead. He is confident that the team is capable of improving on its fifth placing of last year.

His main goal is inclusion among the top four teams to play off the Canterbury championship. Linwood will first be seek-

ing to improve on an already imposing record in Radio Avon pre-season knock-out competitions, though the series which starts on March 16 will also double as a trial.

“The game has to be played a lot quicker,” said Truscott in assessing Linwood’s recent form. “Basically, we have relied on having a powerful forward pack, and always have done at Linwood. Our game revolves around that, but we need to have power plus speed.” The enthusiasm displayed by the squad which assembled for Linwood’s summer beach work-outs and, from this week, pre-season training at Linwood Park has been heartening to the new coach.