Kiwis score 15 tries in first tour win

Press, Issue 33846, 19 May 1975, Page 26

Kiwis score 15 tries in first tour win

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent)

ROCKHAMPTON.

Scoring 15 tries and handling well, the New Zealand Rugby league team yesterday beat Central Queensland, 57-11, for the first win of its Australian tour.

'lhe Khvis led 29-3 at half-time and were never in any trouble. Only poor goal-kicking in the second half after Phil Orchard went off injured, kept the score below 70.

The Kiwis handled much better than when they lost their opening match on Thursday, and they also 'backed up more strongly. Munro gets four Tries for New Zealand were scored by Don Munro (4), Kevin Barry (3), Graeme West (2), Ray Baxendale (2), Josh Liavaa, Orchard, Tom Conroy, and Dennis Williams. Orchard kicked five goals and John O’Sullivan one.

’ For Central Queensland, | tries were scored by Bill Dueuid (2) and Col O’Brien. Kerrod Parsons kicked a goal. I New Zealand won the scrums 14-11, but lost the I penalty count, 3-14, giving [away possession and ground ■for silly offences. Early pressure I The Kiwis played into the [sun in very hot conditions land were under considerable [pressure for the first eight I minutes. Then, they broke ’away for their first try and [had seven tries on the board, with a score of 29-0, before the home team hooker and jcantain. Dueuid, scored just before half-time. Orchard scored and converted soon after half-time but from then on O’Sullivan and Williams managed to [convert onlv one of the seven | ' remaining tries, each missing [ some easv kicks. For the New Zealanders,

Baxendale and Barry both had first-rate debuts, and Barry was named as “player of the match,” although he gave away some scrum penalties.

Munro, Liayaa, and West all produced some very good moments; Williams had a splendid game, at centre, setting up several tries by the use of his sidestep; while ] Conroy, Murray Eade, and [John Whittaker also played well. The one disappointment was Kevin Potter, who twice handled badly in the first half when he had a gap in front of him. He hurt his knee in a tackle five minutes after half-time and had to be replaced. Orchard hopeful Orchard limped off with a leg injury, 10 minutes later, but he should be fit for the Kiwis’ match against New

South Wales Country next Saturday.

This was a very good win for New Zealand as it beat Central Queensland by many more points than Britain List season and by New South Wales Country last week. Its next match is against Northern Division at Tamworth on Wednesdav.