FORWARDS FAIL AS UNIT Kiwis given lesson by strong St Helens

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32706, 8 September 1971, Page 32

FORWARDS FAIL AS UNIT Kiwis given lesson by strong St Helens

(From J.' O. COFFEY, N.Z.P.A. special correspondent) LIVERPOOL. St Helens provided the New Zealand team with a lesson in the requirements of professional Rugby league when it defeated the Kiwis, 18-8, in the second match of the tour on Tuesday night.

The St Helens teamwork was thoroughly proficient, backs and forwards positioning themselves in support to take full advantage of possession gained from set plays and any handling errors made by the opponents.

The Kiwis continued to fail to function as a .Unit in the forwards at play-the-

Unlike the St ■ Helens pack, the New Zealanders relied on individual efforts to

make ground, and a number of tackling lapses put greater responsibility on the cover defence.

SCORING BURST This fine covering, highlighted by a magnificent diving tackle by the wing, J. A. Whittaker, to stop the St Helens captain, K. Cosiett, a yard short of the try line, finally. weakened under the great pressure exerted upon it, , and St Helens added 13 points in nine minutes midWay through the second half.’ ■The Kiwi hooker, J. HL Fisher, did .well to beat A. Karalkus to the strike in 13

of the 29 scrums and had a most useful game in the loose.

The St Helens scrum-half, J. Heaton, used a method of scrum delivery quite unknown in New Zealand, the ball often hitting Fisher high on the body as he packed down. There was an early setback for New Zealand when an interception of a poorlydirected pass from G. J. Woollard gave St Helens an easy five .points. However, the Kiwis responded to this reverse and drew even at five-all at-half-time. D. A. Williams and K. L. Stirling combined to send M. P. Brereton across for a try, and H. Tatana kicked a penally. When Brereton touched down again—the culmination of an interception and an 88yard run 10 minutes after the resumption of play, it appeared that the Kiwis would win. But St Helens then demonstrated its famous recovery ability and the New Zealand defence was unable to repulse the stream of outstanding attacks that were mounted.

New Zealand should benefit considerably from its experience against St Helens, and take heart from the excellent performances of younger members of the side, D. A. Williams, Stirling, R. C. McGuinn and M. K. Eade.

L. Jones, F. Wilson, E. Chisnail, and Heaton scored tries for St Helens, and Cosiett kicked three goals.