Spirited League Bid But Auckland Wins

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32312, 2 June 1970, Page 17

Spirited League Bid But Auckland Wins

A magnificent resurgence by Canterbury in the first 15 minutes after half-time forced Auckland to call upon its full attacking and defensive resources to retain its rating as New Zealand’s leading Rugby league province at the Show Grounds yesterday. Auckland finally won, 40-26.

Auckland led, 18-7, at the interval and the trend of play had indicated a heavy defeat for the home team. But only seven minutes later Canterbury had snatched the initiative and the lead and it was not until 12 minutes from time that a very flustered Auckland XIII forged ahead for the final time.

Two outstanding tries, supported by the accurate goal-kicking of J. L. White, were the highlights of Canterbury’s revival. During this quarter of the match Canterbury produced play of a quality equal to that shown by the talented Auckland combination in its most: thrustful moments.

Soon after play resumed: K. McDonald forced past the first line of Auckland defenders and M. P. Brereton completed the movement: Four minutes later McDonald’s second-row partner, A. W. Thompson, burst out of two tackles and drew the remnants of the Auckland cover to him before slipping the ball inside to G. R. Cooksley, who sprinted away to dive across near the corner flag. White converted from the side-line to take Canterbury to a 19-18 lead. H. Tatana restored Auckland to the lead with a penalty a few minutes

later but, with 26 minutes remaining, Canterbury again held a one-point advantage when White kicked a 45yard penalty. Scrum Strength Auckland, however, continued to win the scrums almost two to one and again began to assault the Canterbury try-line in the way that had given it such a marked ‘territorial superiority in the first half. The opportunity came and ! the Auckland captain, G. Dick, charged across the try-line from the dummy-half position. Canterbury temporarily re-

laxed on defence and Auckland scored two more tries in as many minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Canterbury’s prospects of presenting a strong challenge to West Coast for the Rugby League Cup on June 14 received a much-needed boost from the spirited manner in which the team went about its task in spite of four late withdrawals, a lack of possession and far less experience. Weight Helped In the first half the match appeared to be as expected. After R. J. A. MacKenzie had won the first three scrums for Canterbury, the Auckland hooker, L. S. Morgan, began to thrive on the surging support of his heavier forwards and the backs provided a mixture of finesse, deception and combination that appeared likely to produce an overwhelming margin of victory. Auckland scored four tries in this spell, and on three other occasions Auckland players reached the goal-line only to be recalled by the referee (Mr R. A. Pont). The burly forward, N. Nikora, lost possession before he could force the ball and, only 60 seconds later, crossed from an off-side position. E. M. Carson, the scrum-half, was held up by the Canterbury cover-defence when trying to dart over from the scrumbase.

The Canterbury defence had not been convincing during this period, players too often choosing to attempt high tackles and succeeding only in interrupting, rather than halting, the momentum of the Auckland attacks. Auckland had also used high kicks, which were most potent when combined with swift following up and some tentative play by the Canterbury full-back, B. Williams, and Tatana’s try was the direct result of one such punt. The notable exceptions had been the forwards. White and McDonald, and the centres, Brereton and S. Rolleston, who had kept their opponents sub* dued with solid tackling. After the interval McDonald found a most willing partner in Thompson and the two second-row forwards consistently threw the Auckland forwards to the ground and matched the Auckland pack for sheer strength with very rugged defensive methods.

Good Games Rolleston and his club-mate, McDonald, should be well satisfied with their first representative appearances. The nuggetty Rolleston was injured twice before he was finally forced to retire frith 18 minutes remaining (and Canterbury leading, 21-20), but during his period on the field he had impressed with

his courage and tenacity on defence and had scored a fine try in his debut. His fellow-centre, Brereton, greatly enhanced his prospects of retaining a three-quarter position in the New Zealand team. It was an incisive run

by the former West Coast wing that opened the way for Rolleston’s try and he showed a quick

appreciation of attacking opportunities to score his two touchrdowns. It was also a testimony to Brereton's vastly improved defensive play that R. W. Bailey was seldom seen when the Auckland backs were prospering. Bailey did not play poorly, his keen distribution of the ball and presence in a number of deft Auckland switches of play among the inside backs were again evident, but he was certainly not allowed to make his own rules in the centres because of Brereton’s low, solid tackles. Nearly There The wings, S. J. Wilks and E. Brown, had some difficulty in containing the speedy R. A. A. Mincham and M. McClennan, but Brown came within inches of making his initial first-class match a memorable one when he was dragged down just short of the try-line as the final whistle was about to blow. All the Auckland backs periodically displayed their potential although only the fullback, J. Young, and the standoff half, F. Schuster, were able to probe the Canterbury defence with any regularity. Young often joined his backline to create an over-lap and his deceptive running and back-ing-up were responsible for his tries; Schuster, quick off the mark, initiated two of Auckland’s first-half touch-downs with elusive runs from set play. W. Redmond beat several tackles to open the scoring with a try after nine minutes, but was allowed little leeway by Rolleston after this early escapade. Carson was most sound and kept Cooksley in check for much of the game, although the Canterbury player retained the inside running for national selection with his short bursts, consistent following-up, and more than adequate defence. Leading Canterbury for the first time. R. S. Walker forced Auckland on the defensive with several long line kicks and his covering was generally good. He attempted fewer long passes, perhaps because there was a greater understanding among his team-mates, but still played his role as a fine distributor and most useful utility. MacKenzie again played strongly in the Canterbury pack but was forced to concede the scrums. 11-20. to Morgan. However, Auckland was penalised eight times from scrums and Canterbury only once, giving a more realistic figure of 19-21. Co-ordination The Auckland forwards played particularly strongly and co-ordinated well in set play. Tatana, holding the ball in one hand and standing up in tackles, kept the ball moving. D. J. Gailey and Dick troubled the Canterbury defence. Dick weaving through for his second try just before the finish.

The Kiwi loose forward, A. P. Krlletich. was cast in a rather subdued role and contributed few individual attacking moves although he again defended effectively. Nikora was less prominent in the second half but Morgan once more showed his bustling style away from the scrums.

McDonald. Thompson and White accepted the greater part of the defensive assignments for Canterbury, Thompson shaking off the sluggish running he had shown in the first half to give Auckland an indication of his attacking thrust. B. F. Gillman had a creditable all-round game. breaking away from play-the-balls on a number of occasions, but his front-row partner. G. A. Cowan, was seldom prominent. Young (two), Dick (two), Redmond. -Tatana. Mincham and McClennan scored tries for Auckland. The Canterbury tries were scored by Brereton 4 two), Cooksley and Rolleston. Kicking Success The goal-kicking of White and Tatana was a feature of the game. Although he missed one simple opportunity, Tatana succeeded with eight of his 10 attempts. White was successful with seven kicks and failed with five rather more difficult chances.

Mr Pont awarded Canterbury 15 penalties anti Auckland six.