Loss to Team.

The return of Burke to the side, even for one game, makes one realize, now he is no longer available, what a grand forward and wonderful hooker he really, is. His almost uncanny covering up on defence, the sting and devil he puts into the attack, combined with his shrewd grasp of tactics, was the deciding factor in last week's win. Best of luck in the Army, Dick!

In the backs, Reilly is the first half we've had in years who can throw a decent pass, and his defence is right up to standard. Skelley has been very good, at times brilliant, and has played himself into the Reps. The experiment in playing MacLeod, normally a forward, at second five-eighths was highly successful, and he scored a grand try on Saturday, catching the Marist backline on the wrong foot to end up under the posts.

For an object lesson in defensive work watch Gordon Stuckey some time. He plays right on top of his man, and dives hard and low with everything he's got. And does he bowl 'em over? Ask Cy. Parsloe!

Kicking powerfully and with tremendous length, Greig at full-back is much more confident this year. He broke the Poneke forwards' hearts, and was right on the job against Marist too. His taking of a rolling ball has greatly improved.