All Blacks will win—Porta
PA Auckland The All Blacks will beat the Wallabies in this year’s test series in Australia, according to the man acknowledged as the greatest first five-eighths in rugby today—Argentina’s Hugo Porta. Porta arrived in Auckland yesterday for three festival-style pre-season matches over the next three weeks.
The brilliant Argentinian toured New Zealand with
the Pumas last season, then later captained the side in two tests against the Wallabies in the Argentine. The Pumas won the first test and lost the second.
“If 1 had to predict the outcome of this year’s test series between the All Blacks and the Wallabies, I’d pick the All Blacks,” said Porta after his arrival in Auckland yesterday.
“I believe the All Blacks will be too strong in the forwards and will win the battle for possession.”
“This is where we beat them in the first test last year—the Wallaby forwards just couldn’t win enough ball. But they adjusted their tactics with short line-outs and beat us in the second test.
“When they got the ball, their backs played particularly well in the second test,” said Porta.
Although the Argentinian club season does not start until April 20, Porta has two months’ fitness work behind him and one
friendly game. So he expects to be in reasonable shape for the three matches in New Zealand. Porta will play for the Goldfield XV against a Waihou XV to celebrate the centenary of the Waihou club in Te Aroha, this Saturday, then for the Barbarians against the Wasps in Rotorua on Easter Sunday and finally, for the Goldfields XV against the Cavaliers (a shadow Counties XV) at Pukekohe on Sunday, April 13.
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Press, 26 March 1980, Page 36
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279All Blacks will win—Porta Press, 26 March 1980, Page 36
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