Wellington league team buckles Canterbury

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33520, 29 April 1974, Page 10

Wellington league team buckles Canterbury

(From /. O. COFFEY)

WELLINGTON.

Canterbury buckled under the combined forces of a spirited Wellington team and a gale to be well beaten, 24-6, in the return Rugby league fixture between the provinces at Rugby League Park on Saturday.

The conditions disrupted any preconceived tactics of the Canterbury coach (Mr J. A. Flanagan), but it was still disappointing that Wellington was able to overcome severe selection problems and adjust so much better.

Because of a spate of injuries to leading players, the Wellington line-up was not decided until an hour or so before the kick-off. The replacements, however, fitted easily into the pattern required on the day and, individually and together, were generally superior to their Canterbury markers. The strong wind demanded short passing and combined running by the forwards from the play-the-balls. Handling was risky, and the team running from the south was able to make considerable ground by kicking. In all of these aspects Wellington was more sure, and it capitalised eagerly on any scoring opportunities from Canterbury’s attempts to move possession around when deep inside its own territory. The occasional lapses in Canterbuiy’s tackling in such situations were also costly. BRE RETON'S TACTICS The Canterbury captain (M. P. Brereton) held the theory of playing into the elements for the opening 40 minutes, with the Intention of restraining Wellington to a reasonable lead in the first half and more than offsetting this with the assistance of the wind after the interval. For half an hour the tactics appeared justified as Wellington had mustered only nine points,— from three goals by A. Brooks and an opportunist try bv the loose forward, R. Morris, from a scrum near the Canterbury goalline. But Canterbury’s chances of victory were literally cast to the winds when the powerful prop. W. Henry, burst across from a tap kick and then D. W. Munro, a centre of similar build to J. A. Whittaker, won a kick-and-chase sprint to touch down. Brook’s accuracy boosted the total to IS points at the break. Even this margin did not seem too formidable, particularly- as Canterbury added to its own task bv winning only six of the 19 scrums to this point. It appeared that an improvement in possession and some reasonably proficient football would be enough for Canterbury to quickly bite into the deficit. HENRY'S SECOND TRY Wellington’s players did not subscribe to such thoughts, and bustled Canterbury immediately after the resumption. Henry struck a vital blow for his team’s cause when he crashed over for his second try after only five minutes: once again, the chanee

had been made by a dropped pass and some half hearted Can terbury tackling. Inevitably. Wellington began to feel the effects of the wind—which required team-mates to hold the ball for goal-kickers, who themselves had difficulty keeping their balance, and whisked passes well away from the players intended to receive them. But by the time that finally opened its account Wellington had the result in safe keeping. The Canterbury hooker, D. P. Brown, drew up to 21-23 in his scrummaging tussle with L, Collier, and Canterbury also had a more than even share of the penalties awarded bv Mr W. Mann (Wellington! In the second spell. These assets were not sufficient for Canterbury to knock Wellington off stride and an increase in the number of fundamental errors greatly assisted the home side defend its lead.

R. S. W’alker and J. Greengrass were the only Canterbury forwards who matched the resolve of the Wellington pack in the earnestness of their defence and in seeking to carry play upfield. J. C. McNish, a late replacement for G. R. Findlay, saved an otherwise certain try with a fine covering tackle early in the game. There was a unison in Wellington’s forward formation that was seldom evident in the Canterbury side. Henry was most aggressive in his surging thrusts, especially when moving off the passes of his captain. J. Hona, Morris was also a notable performer, the other three members of the pack. Collier, W. Smith and M. Hannan, lending keen support. BACKS RESTRICTED The backs of both teams could do little to influence the outcome, especially when driving rain fell for most of the second half. L. Paskell, on the Canterbury left wing, reaped some reward from his first-class debut with an excellent try just before the end. His was one of the rare runs of more than a few yards that were permitted by the weather and the close atten tion of the opposing defences. W. A. Wilson made one or two short dabs at scrum-half, but the try-scoring potential of the three-quarters was kept well in check. M. W. J. O’Donnell emerged with credit from a testing day at full-back, while Brooks, Munro, and a tough little scrum-half, E. Koko, did well among the Wellington backs.

It was indicative of Wellington’s display that the sturdy Koko should be only the pro-

vince’s third choice, and that Hannan, who has played club football in Christchurch for Uni versify, should be an eleventhhour choice. They joined their team-mates in keeping an observance on totally basic Rugbyleague, on a day when frills were only for the foolish.

Henry (two', Morris, and Munro scored tries for Wellington, and Brooks added six goals. Canterbury's tries were gained by Walker and Paskell.