Australians outclass N.Z. second XIII

Press, 9 June 1980, Page 34

Australians outclass N.Z. second XIII

By

JOHN COFFEY

It is inevitable that New Zealand’s rugby league selectors will have to look beyond their second XIII w hen choosing a Kiwi team to tour Britain and France later this year.

They no longer have any option but to revise their thoughts in the light of Australia’s 51-7 thrashing of the New Zealand XIII — virtually this country’s B side — at the Shaw Grounds yesterday.

Perhaps soi of the players had their potential blunted by the deficiencies of their fellows, but on the form shown only the lively little scrum-half, Daryl Morrison, and possibly Gary Kembl. and Danny Campbell can afford to look forward to the announcement of the touring party with . any confidence. It was of no consolation to the New Zealanders ■ that the Kangaroos were able to give full rein to their attacking instincts in the best conditions they have so far encountered. No other nation has been able to restrain Australia ia such a mood, and several of the 11 tries were quite brilliantly conceived.

However, the New Zealand XIII contributed to its own humiliation by failing to smother possession in the (tackles. The Australians used their physical strength (to stand upright, and their football skills to release the ball to the waves of supporting players inevitably streaming through.

There were other skills displayed by the tourists which their rivals simply could not emulate. Communication and understanding between individuals was the basis of superb team-work, whether i.i mounting yet another r..id into New Zealand territory or in snuffing out the generally ineffective attempts by New Zealand to make ground.

Only in the opening few minutes did the New Zealand XIII promise to approach its assignment with the steadfast attitude which earned the New Zealand Maoris a draw at Hastings last week. During that period, New Zealand all but claimed the most spectacular try of the match. Both the loose forward, Gary Prohm, and the fullback, Gary Kemble, involved themselves in a back-line movement from a scrum inside New Zealand’s 22m area. A wide gap was wrested near the Australian right flank and Dick Uluave triumphantly . sprinted 70 metres to “score.” But the final pass from Billy Kells to Uluave was clearlv forward.

Within two minutes of that, Australia very much held the initiative as Chris Close completed a flowing manoeuvre which had begun 75 metres upfield, and the dominance of the visitors became more marked, to the point of embarrassment, as the game progressed. If the 6000 spectators had little to cheer about, they at least had the fortune to witness a truly professional performance by Australia. All the Kangaroos had the pace and penetration to be potential scorers, and eight of them shared the tries. Mick Cronin’s remarkable goal-kicking ensured that all but two were to be worth fi"? points each.

Most of the Australians have fashioned proud records and towering reputations in international football. But, even in the midst of such a wealth Of talent, it was Close, one of only two non-test players in the side,

who thoroughly deserved the “Man of the Match" award.

The absence of the injured Steve Rogers was not noticed, as Close proved himself an ideal midfield foil to Cronin. A sturdy lad, Close has already attracted the attention of at least one Sydney club and it seems certain that Queensland will lose yet another player of exceptional quality. With virtually all of the momentum of the match going in one direction — something like the Madras Street one-way system in rush hour — Australia had the luxury of being able to use the versatile Greg Brentnail as an extra threequarters, rather than a specialist full-back. Bren.tail’s entrances into the backs were never without purpose, and he weighed in with two tries, as did Close and the long-striding and ever-roving secondrower, Rod Reddy. The outside backs were earnestly served by their halves, Tom Raudonikis and Alan Thompson, and Raudonikis exposed Morrison’s one really bad error when he scored a late try from the scrumbase.

The first-string Australian pack was simply too powerful, mobile, and experienced for the composite formation opposing it. George Peponis won the scrums, 11-8, Rod Morris and Craig Young dictated tactics around the play-the-balls, and Reddy, Les Boyd, and Ray Price had the freedom to run and link up with only a minimal amount of harassment. Frank Stanton, the Australian coach, said after the match that he had expected a much tougher contest. He

praised his team for producing such a strong performance in its fourth game in just seven days, and, even though Thompson and Young were replaced by Steve Martin and Graeme Wynn, he was relieved that there were no serious injuries.

In recognition of the strenuous itinerary, and as a reward, Mr Stanton will allow his players a day free from training today. He expects to wait until tomorrow afternoon before naming the line-up for the encounter with South Island at the Show Grounds on Wednesday evening. It was all gloom in the New Zealand XIII dressing room. Apart from the settl-ing-down period at the start, the national side had prospered only for a few minutes near the end of the third quarter. Campbell was dragged down centimetres short of the try-line, the ball was moved out to Ron O’Regan in the centres, and, having twisted out of one tackle, he dived across as the Australian cover converged.

Even if not dominant in set play, the New Zealand XIII should have had plenty of possession. The referee (Mr Don Wilson) awarded 16 of the 18 penalties against Australia, but the New Zealanders could simply not bring any control to the situation.

Apart from O’Regan’s try, New Zealand’s points came from two goals by Kemble. Close (two), Reddy (two) Brentnall (two), Graham Quinn, Peponis, Chris Anderson, Raudonikis and Boyd scored tries for Australia. Cronin kicked nine goals.