McKechnie kicks Southland to win

Press, 11 July 1979, Page 34

McKechnie kicks Southland to win

PA Invercargill Southland’s first fiveeighth and captain, Brian McKechnie, repeated his AH Black match-winning performance against Wales last November, kicking his province to a 12-11 victory over France at Rugby Park Invercargill yesterday. The grand-slam All Black’s two second half penalties and his match-winning sev-entieth-minute conversion represented three of the highlights in an otherwise scrappy encounter.

Southland’s forward pack, just as it did in last year’s, 10-7, victory over Australia, was responsible for the win with a display of hard rucking and driving forward power in the second half. The All Black loose forward trio of Leicester, Rutledge, Ken Stewart and Ash McGregor was relentless in its pursuit of the loose ball and clearly upset the French backline. McGregor, who had a point to prove to All Black

selector Mr Jack Gleeson after last year’s All Black tour of the British Isles, scored his team’s one try.

Unfortunately, as both sides tried to score points in the final quarter, the spirit of the game deteriorated and both packs of forwards frequently displayed outward signs of frustration.

The situation appeared to be further aggravated for the French team by its inability to come to grips with some of the decisions of Poverty Bay referee, Mr Kevin Lynch. The French manager, Mr Yves Noe, expressed disappointment with Mr Lynch’s handling of the match. He said he had instructed his players before the match not to indulge in rough play.

The deterioration of forward play in the final quarter was most unfortunate but was an expression of frustration on the part of some of his players, Mr Noe said.

The French captain, Jean-

Pierre Rives, while obviously upset with his side’s third tour loss, was nevertheless full of praise for the home team.

“They deserved to win, they are a good team,” he said. But like the Tricolours’ coach, Mr "Toto” Desclaux,

Rives had no comment to make on the rough play or the standard of refereeing.

The crowd of approximately 20,000 saw a limited amount of entertaining rugby in what was for a lot of the time, a mistake-rid-dled match.

McGregor’s try which was arguably the best of the match, came after two miskicked touch-finders by the French fullback, Serge Blanco, who had a most unhappy match.

The second would-be line kick was gratefully fielded by Southland’s full-back, Jeff Gardiner, about 40 metres from the opposition goal. •

His tactical kick for lan Donaldson on the wing was neatly judged. Donaldson gathered the ball after Jerome Gallion, the French half-back had tried to speculate it into touch and passed infields to his oncoming forwards.

Stewart drove and set up a maul on the French goalline and McGregor was

awarded the try in the melee.

Southland’s coach, Mr Gus Burns, said he was happy with the standard of the refereeing and considered the win more satisfying than last year’s victory over Australia.

“This is the first time a Southland team has beaten France,” he said.

He knew his side was capable of getting back into the match in the second spell when it was 11 points down after the two tries scored by France.

The Southland pack had performed up to his highest expectations. Mr Desclaux said the French team should never have lost the match after being so many points in front. Scorers:—

Southland, Ash McGregor a try, Brian McKechnie two penalties and a conversion. France: Jean-Luc Joinel, Frederic Costes tries, Guy Laporte a penalty.