yacck looks at Pirates rugby team of 1976.....

The surprise package element that Pirates pack, is likely to be its main tactic this year.  Its side is much the same as last year with only one or two new players.  Lyall Williams and Ted McDowall will be coaching the team again and are hoping to cause a few more upsets, as it did last year.

Hookers Cliff Munro and Jim Black are playing again while Mike Lorne, Gary Pankhurst and promoted second grader, Nelson McDermott will fill the proping positions. John Pankhurst and Wayne Soper will lock the scrum.  No real line out men have turned up for the team and its disadvantage in this area of the game will continue.  
Sam Anderson, Gary Barnes and Doug Muirhead are back in the loose forward role again and they are joined by former Gore Pioneer player, Lawrence Fawdray.
One of Southland's halfbacks from last year, Trevor Tomlins will be behind the scrum again and Bill Harper will be outside him.  A former Riverton player, Peter Laurie is expected to add some solidity to the line at second five eight.
Former Southland representative Robin Welsh will be sharing the role centre with Neil Murdoch.  Welsh represents a real threat, as Invercargill followers will remember after the great game he played last year against Blue on Rugby Park.  
Reid Boynton is back again on the wing with Barry and Wayne Beleski, providing the other wing players.  Full back will again be played by Philip Jordan.  
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