Tongans Have Narrow Loss

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32060, 7 August 1969, Page 15

Tongans Have Narrow Loss

(New Zealand Press Association) NELSON. Tonga scored four tries to two but was beaten, 22-21, by Nelson Bays in the opening match of its New Zealand tour, at Nelson yesterday.

Tonga began the match at a tremendous pace and inside 20 minutes led 13-0. However, a heavy ground sapped the tourists energy and Nelson Bays came back

strongly to score its narrow win.

The willingness to throw the ball round was a feature of Tonga’s play. Time and again the crowd was brought to its feet by the. spectacular exhibition of open Rugby. The Tongan back-line was fast, with the centre, T. Vavapulu, and the wing, K. Tongi, being especially brilliant. Nelson Bays retaliated with some smart moves of its own but could not match the Tongans. However, the home team’s forwards, led by the flanker, J. Allan, proved fitter than the tourists. J. Allan and T. Smith scored tries for Nelson Bays, and T. Morris kicked two penalties, two dropped goals and two conversions.

Vavapulu (2), Tongi and P. Fakaua scored Tonga’s tries, and V. Pahulu added a penalty and three conversions. Teams Selected Two teams to play Tonga were also announced yesterday. They were:— South Canterbury (at Timaru on Saturday):—R. Bailey; B. McLauchlan. K. Reilly, G. Prattley: P. Roddick, R. Slater: A. Millar: B. McFarlane; R. Vercoe, J. Waldie, R. Sharp, T. Lister; L. Leighton, K. Milne, J. Mcßae. Reserves; A. Soloman, G. Hannan, D. Grant, S. Byan. New Zealand Maoris (at Christchurch on August 16): K. T. Going (North Auckland): B. M. Koopu (Wellington), T. W. Tataurangl (Auckland), D. Koni (King Country); A. P. H. Johnson (Waikato), M. A. Herewinl (Auckland); S. M. Going (North Auckland); L. P. Haddon (North Auckland); T. Marriner (King Country), G. R. Mahupuku (Wairarapa). J. J. Gillette (Waikato), R. Clark (Counties); W. N. Rowlands (Walrarapa). H. T. Norton (Canterbury), J. W. Joseph (Marlborough). Reserves: H. J. paewai (Hawke’s Bay), B. L. Going (North Auckland), D. R. Mohi (Bay of Plenty). T. Davis (Hawke’s Bay). REP. RUGBY Results / of representative Rugby matches played yesterday were: ■ At Invercargill: Bay of Plenty 13 (A. A. James 3 tries; B. A. Trask 2 conversions), Southland 8 (L. O. Booth try: K. L. Borland penalty; A. R. Frew conversion). At Paeroa: Waikato 22 (I. K. Begbie 2, B. A. Forrest, M. R. P. Hull tries; N. A. M. Pickrang 2 conversions, 2 penalties), Thames Valley 0.