Mistake-ridden Kiwis lose

Press, 12 June 1978, Page 28

Mistake-ridden Kiwis lose

NZPA special correspondent

Wollongong

The New Zealand rugby league team was back to its worst yesterday, losing, 1015, to Illawarra at Wollingong. The Kiwis could not afford the errors, as it played almost all of the second half a man short. The Canterbury hooker, Alan Rushton, was ordered off for a deliberate elbow charge. He had been warned only seconds before for a similar offence. The mistakes which had been slowly disappearing during the last two games were out in force yesterday. It was to New Zealand’s credit that it tightened up its play once Rushton left. The only try Illawarra scored in the second half came from a New Zealand mistake. The Kiwis were at-,

tacking the Illawarra line when a loose pass was thrown. The wing, Allan Sheppard, scooped it up and as every Kiwi was up on attack, he had a clear run to score.

That carelessness was typical of New Zealand’s play. It attempted too many miracle passes and seemed unable to settle into panicfree football. The Kiwis’ tackling was also weak. The bone-jarring tackles which were a major part of the wins against Riverina and Northern Divisions were absent.

For Illawarra Barry Pearson, Ken Demos and Sheppard scored tries; Rodney Hennicker kicked two conversions and, a penalty. For New Zealand Rushton and John Wright scored tries; Dennis Williams kicked a conversion and a penalty.