Auckland beats the Kangaroos 19-15

Press, 2 June 1977, Page 4

Auckland beats the Kangaroos 19-15

PA Auckland A large Carlaw Park crowd erupted ’ with pleasure last evening when a disciplined Auckland rugby league side ran out the winners over Australia by 19 points to 15. The Kangaroos could have been closer at the finish had Graham Eadie converted Mark Thomas’s try, but after leading 14-7 at half-time Auckland would have been unlucky to lose. The Auckland side began as if it meant to win, and maintained its pressure on the Australian side for al-

most the entire match. In its few lapses Auckland was still able to play their way out of trouble.

There was no hanging back by the Aucklanders in the face of the Australian attacks. This factor stopped the visitors in their tracks. Chris Jordan, Dennis Williams. and Kurt Sorensen played great games for Auckland.

However, in the final analysis, the whole Auckland team played an inspired game to restore some of the prestige lost in the Amco Cup match against Northern Division in Australia.

Australia was without Mick Cronin and Alan McMahon, which robbed it of some thrust in the backs, but it was the forwards who really let the side down. Without Ray Higgs and Terry Randall, the forwards charged up the middle, but found it impossible to get through the Auckland defence. However, once the ball did go out to the wings, or when Eadie placed dangerous up-and-unders, Auckland was in trouble.

Tom Raudonikis played well, but Nick Geiger was outhooked by Glen Taylor, 7-11.

Australia scored first with a try by Rod Reddy, which

was converted by Eadie in the twentieth minute. Olsen Filipaina replied three minutes later, and Jordan kicked his first goal. He kicked a penalty in the twenty-sixth minute, and Auckland was ahead 7-5.

Auckland scored again from a try by Glen Taylor in the twenty-ninth minute, and Jordan again kicked the goal. Australia came back with an Eadie penalty, and the half ended with a Jordan penalty to make the score 14-7 to Auckland.

In the second half Greg Pearce and Eadie put on five points before Williams scored, for Jordan to convert. The last scoring was by the Australians, when Thomas went over.

Auckland maintained its attack to the finish. Mr Bill Sorensen, the Auckland selector, said after the match that his team had overcome lapses splendidly. The Australian coach, Terry Feamley, said that the loss was an anti-climax to their visit.

Scorers: Auckland 19 (Filipaina, Taylor, Williams tries, Jordan 3 conversions, 2 penalties), Australia 15 (Reddy, Pearce, Thomas tries, Eadie 2 conversions and a penalty).