Shield holder beats Otago, 14-6

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32701, 2 September 1971, Page 24

Shield holder beats Otago, 14-6

(New Zealand Press Association)' DUNEDIN. Auckland’s backs paved the way to a decisive win over Otago in the representative Rugby fixture played at Carisbrook yesterday. The 14-6 win was directly attributable to the Auckland backs.

The Otago forwards, even without McGee, K. Murdoch and W. Townsend, more than held their own. It was only occasionally that they were forced to concede ground.

Otago had a bad day in the backs, however, no good attacking movements coming until 20 minutes in the second half, when the ball moved smoothly along the line for the first time. After this there were occasions when the back-line looked impressive, but there were not nearly enough of them. The most dangerous back on the field was undoubtedly Auckland’s centre, G. R. Weinberg. Every time he got the ball he looked dangerous, making, some good breaks downfield, and timing his passes to his wings well. In the duel between the B. G. Williams and B. A. Hunter, Williams came out on top. Each time he got the ball he used his weight and speed to advantage, and looked positive. Part of this, no doubt, was because he was getting better service than was Hunter.

Hunter had trouble with handling, sometimes because of poor passes, but there were occasions when he juggled the ball or lost it when he should have had it in his grasp and been yards downfield.

His pace showed up in his covering work, and in Otago’s only try. But too often it was not used to advantage. One time when Hunter’s speed should have been used came in the second half, when the full-back, L. W. Mains, came into the line, and elected to run infield instead of passing to an unmarked Hunter.

On the other wing for Otago, M. P. Collins saw the ball only once in each half from set play, but looked dangerous each time. The dominant forward in the line-outs was not, as most expected, P. J. Whiting, but Otago’s replacement for McGee, G. A. Seear, who leapt high after the ball, and fed the half-back, G. L. Colling, well.

Colling played his usual good game, making some good breaks, and setting up play well with intelligent kicks.

Throughout the match, however, with the exception of the latter stages of the second half, the Auckland backs were the more dangerous, moving the ball well, looking for gaps, and getting up fast to disrupt the Otago line when it had possession. Auckland led 6-0 at halftime.

For Auckland, tries were scored by Williams (two) and Palmer. Whatman dropkicked a goal and converted one try.

For Otago, Hunter scored a try and Mains kicked a penalty goal.