Can Auckland hang on to shield?

Press, 29 September 1979, Page 60

Can Auckland hang on to shield?

PA Auckland Can Auckland turn from a shield-winning side to a shield-holding team in just a week? The history of the Ranfurly Shield is dotted with examples of teams lifting themselves to a peak to win a shield challenge. There are, however, fewer examples of the s h i e I d-winner quickly forming the resilient type of team pattern designed to turn back the first and following challenges. Wellington has been a case in point over the last 20 years. When comparing the basic patterns of Auckland and Counties, who will clash for the shield at Eden Park today, the main

impression is that Counties are the sounder team.

Their consistency over the last three years is a strong point in their favour — twice runner-up in the national championship and now, even with one match to play, this season’s winners.

During those same three years Auckland has played some handsome rugby, and some hapless games as well. Even its warmest admirers would hardly describe Auckland as consistent.

Counties are very much a team for all seasons. Most important, they are an accurate defensive team, not given to panic when pressed back to their goal-line. In recent

years Counties have built a reputation for all-out attack, through forwards and backs.

Mark Codlin will be just as much the hinge of the Counties team as was Richard Dunn for Auckland in its triumph last Saturday. Given a strong effort from his forwards Codlin is shrewd enough to run the game the way Counties want it.

Meanwhile Auckland has its problems. It will not know until this morning whether its captain, Bra 4 Johnstone, and the back-row man, Maurice Trapp, will be fit to play. Both are key men. Johnstone has established himself as a staunch leader

and Trapp as an expert mauler and the man who could give Dunn space to call the tune. Auckland’s coach, Mr Bryan Craies, promisedyesterday that his players would not spend the match gamely defending their own line against a Counties side that attacks and counter-attacks better than any provincial team in New Zealand.

“We are not going into a shell just because we have the shield,” said Mr Craies. “Don’t expect negative football. “We have a good backline, man for man, and just as talented as Counties. We scored more points in the national competition than Counties.

“Tomorrow, control and pressure will be paramount. If we get quality ball, we will run it. The big thing in shield rugby, whether challenging or defending, is to take the opportunities when they come because a team doesn’t get many. “Our thinking is that if we are to lose the shield to any team — Counties included — we want to go down flags flying. If we et the lead, we will be all out to keep increasing it. Counties has stuck with the side it named on Tuesday with the injured lock, Joe Rawiri, now declared 100 per cent fit by the coach, Mr Hiwi Tauroa. “The only way we will change our line-up now is

if someone falls under a bus,” he said. “We are ready.” The teams are. — Auckland: Colin Farrell, Bryan Williams, Tim Twigden, Gary Cunningham, Mike Mills, Lindsay Harris, Richard Dunn, Maurice Trapp or Stu Conn, Conn or Graeme Haise, Andy Haden, John Allen, Kevin Ramsay, Brad Johnston or Greg Burgess, Kevin Boyle, Leon Toki. Counties: Bob Lendrum, Paul Reilly, Bruce Robertson, Robert Kururangi, Graham Taylor, Brian Morris, Mark Codlin, Alan Dawson, Hank Habraken, Paul Tuoro, Joe Rawiri, Peter Clotworthy, John Spiers, Andy Dalton, John Hughes.