RUGBY Canterbury Drubs Otago By 30 To 0 In Bright Game

Press, Volume C, Issue 29627, 25 September 1961, Page 14

RUGBY Canterbury Drubs Otago By 30 To 0 In Bright Game

Canterbury’s home representative programme ended on a gala note at Lancaster Park on Saturday when Otago was beaten by 30 points (six converted tries) to 0. It was a highly entertaining match, for although Otago lost by a vast margin, the team fought hard all the and was better at the end than at any other stage.

There were times when the Canterbury team was rather like a talented jazz band indulging in a jam session, with impromptu, diverting contributions in unexpected places —backs and forwards inter-changing positions and duties. But in the essence, Canterbury’s handsome victory was won, once more, by what is probably the finest pack of forwards in New Zealand.

Canterbury has won all 12 of its matches this season, and will play Wellington, at Wellington, next Saturday, while Canterbury B meets South Canterbury at Christchurch.

Otago. without several of Its leading players, offered very spirited Opposition, particularly in the forwards, but it seldom had much prospect of scoring, save in the first 10 minutes and the last few. At first the Otago pack, all bustle and business, won the rucks and line-outs quite decisively, but that phase was short-lived, and the visiting forwards, try as they did, were clearly outplaved by a magnificent pack. The Otago backs lacked speed and thrust. The first five-eighths, Stevenson, was frequently forced into hurried kicking, and when the ball did go down the line, the players were moving at half speed. At the end of the game, however, amid all the hurly-burly of attacks and counter-attacks, there was some stronger running > from the Otago threequarters. Only nine penalties were awarded during the match, an indication of the pace at which it was played. Canterbury score<L three tries in j i each spell. Henderson con-i verted all of them and with I one try himself was respon-i, sible for half of the 30 points. |

The relentless pressure of the Canterbury forwards allowed their backs many op-' portunities, most of which j were accepted boldly. Most of the tries were splendid, j combined efforts, with the forwards creating the opportunity with their drive and their speed to the ruck, and then helping materially in finishing the movement satisfactorily. Graham Outstanding There was not a man in the Canterbury peck who was anything less than extremely competent, but the captain. Graham, was outstanding. It is unlikely that he has played a better game than he did on Saturday. He was able to go forward more often than usual, because of his pack’s domination, and he showed astonishing soeed. fine handling and a quick eye for an opening. He took a vital part in many of Can- 1 terbury’s best attacks. On defence he was even better. | Graham’s sense of position is! suoerb. Time and again, he was there to block a gan or field a tactical kick—and he did it all so easily, without hurry, a sort of well-trained, unobtrusive waiter tending quietly to Canterbury’s everv need. His tackling was swift and sure and it again saved more difficult situations. Gkaham has always been a good forward, but on Satur-I day he was at the top of his bent. Young took four tight heads and conceded none; Allen and Le Lievre were in great form. Stewart and Abel j made some erashing runs, and! Stewart won many line-1 outs; Tremain’s sneed andj strength and shrewdness i were never more evident, and Moynihan was all effi-l ciency in everything he did.'

All of thorn ran and handled proficiently, but the determination of Abel and Stewart was particularly noticeable. Their furious thrusts often made dents in the defence, which a quick heel from the subsequent ruck converted into positive gain. Whitta played coolly and well and Watt was full of running and initiative. He rather overdid his use of the dummy in the second spell, perhaps through the vast success of his salesmanship earlier. Arnold did some things very well indeed, but made many errors. Henderson is still a good player on the very big occasion, but his handling and tackling were again at fault on Saturday. perhaos because of the huge score Canterbury built up. However, his kicking was again a delight. Leary had few chances, but Morrissey made two or three determined dashes. It is a pity this young player, who has speed and resource above the average, so seldom has any room when he gets the ball. McCormick was as dependable as ever and again contributed some bullocking runs. One of his tries was scored after a backs-and-forwards movement which covered 80 yards. Plucky Pack

There was much to admire in the plucky Otago pack, which was well led by Gillespie. D. H. Graham was one who battled on tenaciously to the end and both McLennans also played solidly. Meikle, the tallest Otago forward, also showed good form. But once Canterbury's line-out techniques had been re-ordered and ! Stewart assumed control, Otago’s lack of pace in the forwards made it difficult for them to contain Canterbury’s swift, vigorous and highly I efficient eight. Kirton, usually a fiveeighths. played a very good game at full-back, but the other backs had few chances to do anything but defend, and there they were quite often at fault. There was some very bad tackling at

times. Eglinton, on the right wing, showed some speed and towards the end Smith made a couple of useful runs, but Otago lacked finish to its movements. The Scoring Play in the first 15 minutes was fairly even. Arnold nearly scored for Canterbury after a jinking run which ended on the ?oal-lfne, but it was left to the Canterbury forwards to open the scoring. The movement began wtth Henderson, Watt and Morrissey, who centrekicked to his forwards. Graham took the ball on the Otago twenty-five and. after twisting out of two tackles, passed to Tremain, who scored near the corner after a 10-yard run. Henderson converted. Smith made a tricky run for Otago when he stepped infield through half the Canterbury team and then Stevenson had an unsuccessful attempt at a field goal. Canterbury took play to the Otago twenty-five and from a ruck Abel burst through with the ball. He was caught 10 yards from the line, and from the ruck Watt ran the blind side to give Leary a try in the corner. Henderson converted. Soon afterwards McCormick came into the five-eighths on the Otago twenty-five and after bursting through several weak tackles he scored under the posts. Henderson converted. At half-time Canterbury led by IS points to 0. Three mdmrtes after the interval Canterbury scored its fourth trv. Stevenson dropped a pass from his half-back and Arnold picked up the ball immediately and dashed for the Otago roal-line. Confronted bv the full-back he passed infield to Graham who ran a few yards before sending Henderson in for an easy try. Henderson converted.

Otago looked formidable in a movement Which swept to the Canterbury twentv-five, but the wing, Ertington. dropped a pass at a crucial stage. Leary took the ball on for Canterbury and then Tremain-end Graham inoassed before Watt handled. Watt passed to McCormick who used an excellent change of oace to cut through the defence for a try behind the posts. Henderson converted.

Otavo had Its share of attack, but Canterbury could not be kept out and when Stewart had broken through from a Mne-out near the Otago goal-line Grah am took an tn-pass to score a try. Henderson converted.

The final score: Canterbury 30. Otago 0. Mr R. W. Phizacklea was the referee.