Queensland trounces N.S.W. rugby side

Press, 1 June 1981, Page 16

Queensland trounces N.S.W. rugby side

NZPA Sydney Queensland overran New South Wales 26-15 in a one-sided interstate rugby union clash under lights at’Svdncy at the week-end.

The Queenslanders scored four tries to one.

The scoreline flattered NewSouth Wales in the extreme as they succumbed to the well drilled and well led Queenslanders.

Inspired by the return of former test , skipper and No. 8 Mark Loane. the Queenslanders dominated all phases with relentless ease. In the process they exposed glaring deficiencies, especially involving the Ella brothers’-- five-eighths Mark and Glen at full-back. Their only salvation was a brilliantly executed try scored by Mark in the dying seconds of the match.

For the preceding 79 minutes a hesitant and strangely disorganised Mark Ella was eclipsed by his opposite number, former test veteran Paul McLean. Glen will be fortunate to hold on to his place for the return clash in Brisbane next Sunday. His shortcomings under pressure were exposed as McLean and test full-back Roger Gould peppered him with ‘'bombs." But it was the sustained power of the Queensland pack which paved the way to victory.

By the closing stages the NewSouth eight was buckled repeatedly. in the scrums, staggering back up to 15 metres. The Queensland forwards were also metres faster to the breakdowns. enabling them to take a stranglehold on the rucks and' mauls.

With a feast of clean ball at his disposal Queenslands halfback discovery, Tony Parker, played superbly.

He capped it with a quicksilver break to set up Queensland’s final try for Gould 10 minutes from the end.

Gould produced a stunning performance. He was fearless under pressure, chimed into the backline brilliantly and slammed over one of t)ie finest field goals ever seen at the Sydney Cricket Ground — a 50-metre effort to open Queensland's score in the thirteenth minute.

Brendon Moon confirmed Ins standing as Australia's finest winger with two excellent tries. The first, in the twentieth minute, was a classic. Gould burst into the line, chipped over the defence and Moon had tlie pace to charge through for the touchdown. His second. 10 minutes into the second half, was brilliantly conceived by McLean.

Score: Queensland "26 (Moon two tries, converted Carberry. Gould: McLean two converted penalty goals: Gould field goal) beat New South Wales 15 (Mark Ella try. Monaghan three converted penalty goals).