Rugby Prospects

A record 16 teams have been entered this season by the University Rugby Club. This is two more than last season and augurs well for the Club's strength.

Ten of these 16 teams have been entered in the junior grades, and are composed of social teams and teams containing players who haven't the time to train.

As always the main interest is centred around our senior teams. There is no lack of young talent and members of last year's under 19 and third grade teams will make their presence felt this year.

Senior coaches and club administrators have devised a strenuous pre-season fitness programme in the hope that it will overcome the plague of unnecessary injuries that occurred last year. This is also an attempt to improve on the relatively poor showing by the three senior teams last year.

The Senior A team will be seeking an improved standing this year but this may be hampered by the lack of big lineout forwards. In the backs players such as D. Heather, G. Kember, M. Sayers, G. Weinberg and M. Williment will play a prominent part again this season. The vacancy at halfback, due to the transfer of G. Ireland, has two aspirants, clever junior representative, R. Barlow and a wonderfully recovered D. Hogg. It seems as though G. Weinberg's talents will be employed on one wing, and the other wing will probably go to promising D. Irving.

In the forwards the loss of K. McDonald, last season's captain, and I. Gibbons, in the N.Z. rowing squad will be keenly felt. The return of H. Barton is welcomed. Other forwards showing good form are B. Gregory, D. Pickup, R. Trott, M. Gourley, J. Pope and J. Tovey is sought, and it seems most likely that C. Balasoglu will fill this gap. Providing that sufficient ball is obtained from set play, this team will have a very successful season.