Australians Outplayed, 28-9

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30443, 18 May 1964, Page 14

Australians Outplayed, 28-9

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 17. The Australian Universities Rugby team appeared to be a little lost when it was beaten, 28-9, by New Zealand Universities in the first "test” at Athletic Park yesterday. The Australians could not match the New Zealanders in power or technique in the forwards and they could not match the know-how and exploitation of pace in the three-quarters. It was a match strewn with injury. Australia lost a wing. rG. Aaron, after 14 minutes of the second. spell. For the rest of the game the side was a forward short as A. R. Becconsall moved to the wing. With 10 minutes .to go the skipper, C. P. Crittle, was a passenger and Becconsall was also limping. In the New Zealand team, the full-back, M. Williment, injured his leg midway through the first spell. New Zealand had started with such bravado that one sensed a walk-over. For- the first half that was not so. In fact, after that firSt flash, there was much untidy Rugby.

A beautifully-conceived try a minute or two before half-time lifted the' depression considerably. • Australia went to 6-9 early in the second spell but from there New Zealand systematically tore the game open. There was fine liaison between the midfield backs, W. A. Davies and R. C. Moreton, and the .wings, A. J. Osborne and W. J. Thompson. Inside, E. W. Kirton settled into a steady passing groove after one or two early problems and C. R. Laidlaw was in masterly control behind the forwards Davies exploited an accurate grubber-kick which re-

suited In one try and very nearly in another.

M. C. Meikle, C. Man.tell and D. Elvidge were treinendous workers and of the loose men, G. L. Hermansson appealed particularly lor his versatility. The. Australian backs seldom looked under a full head of steam when the ball came to them. However, there were some creditable performances. R. Rosenblum, inside centre,

was finely-balanced and a polished left-foot kicker, while W. Caisley’s tackling in the first half was shattering. P. F. Vincent was a steady full-back. On the wing Aaron won admiration for his courage in carrying on when suffering severe pain from an injured shoulder. He made one fiard tackle during this period, a tackle which, might well have saved Australia points. For dedication in the face of great odds, forwards like E. T. Anning, A. Abrahams, Crittle and R. G, Elliot would take a power of beating. They worked like tigers. Before he was posted to the wing Becconsall was another admirable forward.

Tries for New Zealand were scored by Osborne (4), Davies, Thompson and Kirton. Williment kicked one penalty and Davies two conversions. For Australia, Crombie (2) and Rosenblum kicked- penalties.