Wilson’s goal-kicking feat

Press, 10 September 1979, Page 32

Wilson’s goal-kicking feat

Major goal-kicking feats by an All Black seemingly go in 10-year cycles. In 1959 Don Clarke won fame when he landed six penalty goals to give the All Blacks an 18-17 win over the British Lions in the first test that year. Ten years later, at Eden Park, Fergie McCormick set an individual points scoring test record when he contributed 24 points in New Zealand’s 33-12 victory over Wales. On Saturday at Carisbrook, the scene of Clarke’s scoring

spree, Richard Wilson kicked five penalty goals, the same number as McCormick kicked in 1969, to give the All Blacks victory over the Pumas.

It was Wilson’s best kicking effort in first class rugby, surpassing the four penalty goals he kicked against Monmouthshire in Wales last year. Carisbrook has always been a good ground for the 26-year-old Wilson. Wilson said on Saturday evening that he was thrilled that his kicking should win

an international for New Zealand. but he did not see it as a great personal achievement. “They were not hard kicks and it-was the other 14 players who took us within range of the posts. The last kick was the most crucial as I knew that if I kicked it the Pumas would have to score twice to win, and time was running out. “When I saw that kick heading between the posts I was pleased for the team’s sake and also for Eric Watson’s. I think we all wanted to win for Eric,” said Wilson.