Auck. form outstanding in thrashing Southland

Press, 25 August 1980, Page 17

Auck. form outstanding in thrashing Southland

PA’ Auckland The Auckland rugby teair showed perhaps its besl form for 12 months in beating Southland 25-3 on Saturday to retain the Ranfurly Shield before a crowd ol 20,000 at Eden Park. Despite the win, however, there were quibbles afterwards. Auckland, so superior at the scrum that Southlanders looked at their retreating pack with disbelief, could blast away at the Southland line for minutes on end, but could not contrive a way over it The Auckland. backline, obviously quicker of foot and gorged on the possession their forwards offered, became too fond of intricate midfield moves and only twice managed tries by putting a man round the openside flank. Nevertheless, it was a fine performance by Auckland, built round some superbly constructed forward play, and with the occasional flourish from a burgeoning backline which was at least prepared to try the running arts. By the time Richard Dunn ) had kicked four consecutive) penalty goals within thefirst half hour — and Geoff Valli had missed three, which would have kept Southland within reach . — it was obvious that Southland were facing an impossible task. Southland were outscrummed, out-jumped, outkicked and out-paced arid by half-time were 16 points astern. For most of the third quarter the Southlanders had their backs to their goal-line (trying to counter a sustained , Auckland forward charge. ) Southland, however, never .wilted. Even as they stood 1 about their line waiting for Richard Dunn to convert Gary Cunningham’s try which lifted Auckland to 223 with but 21 minutes to play, Ken Stewart marched I among his men demanding even greater.■ spirit and -effort. I So the Southlanders, with I a wondrously swift covering ! defence, tackled and tackled,

l minutes on end with their heels on their own line, and i even’ managed a last-minute ■ rally which only a last-gasp fumble denied a try. For Auckland, Haden was . supreme in the lineout, and • Harvey was always close to the bail and the ball-carrier. . The back play was not so ■ consistently effective. ! Dunn place-kicked coolly • and varied his play well. j Tim Twigden had the : occasional cut and both Cunningham and Bryan Williams were always busy. Southland had their attacking moments early, the best of them started by Brian McKechnie’s quick movement of the ball from first five-eighths. Scores: Auckland: 25 (A. Harvey, G. Cunningham, tries: R. Dunn, conversion, 5 penalty goals): Southland: 3 (G. Valli, penalty goal). Halftime: Auckland, 16-0. Referee: G. Harrison (Wellington). i More rugby, page 20 and 21