Ivan Gutsell withdraws from Southland side in 1975......

The selectors for the seven a side, and sub unions squads have been given another headache with the withdrawal of Ivan Gutsell the great front rower.  For assorted reasons last year's captain, Ken McRae, All Black flanker, Bob Barber and Southland flanker, Andy Dickson have all given notice.  

Phillip Butt has been selected and should be over the injuries that have put him out of contention recently, they also included Alistair Burgess a young prop from Collegiate who is was looking to have a big future in Rugby.  He would gain experience from being included and his aggressive style means he would not be intimidated by older players.  
Another player that could have achieved higher honours would have been Kevin Stevenson who is first five eight for Tokanui, as he guided his team's win over Invercargill in a crucial game.  He fired up after half time in this game and his judgement with his passing and kicking was brillant.  His strong and elusive running cut the Invercargill team to shreds from their set play which has not been seen for a long time.  Stevenson has been around for some time now, but still has youth on his side, and when he is on top of his game there is few that can match him.
The sub-union side selectors, Alistair Tait, K. Corcoran and Bill Lindsay named three specialised No 8's in Stuart Dermody, Loose forwards seclected were; Ken Stewart and a young Eastern player, Murray Howe.  In the backs, wingers, Shane O'Donnell and Roger Brodie were gimmies and the squad announced was; Dave Saunders (Central), Bruce Lamb (Southern), Bill Stewart (Eastern),  Jeff Lamb (Eastern), Gerald Dermody (Southern), Donald Hay (Eastern) Ken Stewart (Southern),  Des Herbert (Eastern), Stuart Dermody (Southern), Ash McGregor (Northern), Murray Howe (Eastern), John Patterson (Central), Murray Heath (Western), John Ellis (Central), Les O'Donnell (Southern), Dave McKinnell (Eastern), Russell Hardie (Eastern), Peter Ross (Eastern), Murray Mitchell (Eastern), Leo Valli (Central) Geoff Valli (Western).
Reference;  The Southland Times: July 4th 1975.