Wellington’s win exposes serious Scottish flaws

Press, 1 June 1981, Page 24

Wellington’s win exposes serious Scottish flaws

By

JOHN BROOKS

It will take more than the magic of Andy Irvine to prevent a Scottish defeat by the All Blacks in the two-test rugby series this month.

The Scots unquestionably qualified for the underdog role in the internationals by losing to a vigorous and well organised Wellington side, 19-15, at Athletic Park on Saturday. In doing so they revealed flaws in technique and application, and there was a suggestion that from a purely physical point of view they will find the All Blacks hard to counter.

Denied the services of the high-scoring Irvine, who decided not to put his injured leg at risk, Scotland still played with determination but was not permitted to dictate.

Wellington exposed a major Scottish weakness by reaching the break-downs first, and despite efforts by Scotland to suffocate the ball in the rucks, Wellington’s hardy pack chiselled twice as much possession from this source as the tourists.

The advantage was developed by Stuart Wilson and his fellow backs, who harnessed skill with enterprise to put their rivals in the shade.

Wilson cut some exciting capers at centre, Jamie Salmon was an unexpected .success at second five-eighths, and the side’s “player of the day,” Bernie Fraser, on the left wing, aroused the crowd

of about 25,000 with his aggressive running. Wilson, who captained the home side with flair, said the victory was the greatest thing to have happened to Wellington rugby for many years. ‘We haven’t beaten any major overseas team since 1973, and this result will be like a shot in the arm to us,” he said. '

The unpretentious Mr lan Upston, who is in his fifth season as Wellington’s coach, was unashamedly proud of his men. “We won because of total commitment,” he said quietly, but feelingly. Told that his forwards had won 46 per cent of total possession, he replied, “I said we needed 40 per cent to have a chance

of winning. That extra 6 per cent was a bonus.”

Mr Upston said Wellington won the game in two places — speed to the loose ball, with a consequent ruck advantage, and the thrust in midfield and on the flanks. The Scots were left reflecting on these problem areas, and the captain for the day, David Leslie, said the analytical study of the shortcomings started soon after the final whistle.

Leslie could say that with some conviction, for one of Wellington’s prime assets was the apparent ease with which the balding open side flanker, Morrie Standish, constantly beat Leslie and Jim Calder to the loose ball.

The Scots were supreme in the line-outs, chiefly through the effort; of Alan Tomes at five, and they had an edge in scrum possession with Colin Deans claiming the only tight head. But they were a distant second in the rucks and missed far too many first tackles to have entertained thoughts of success.

For all that, Scotland might have pulled the game from the fire in the final minute when Deans grabbed a rebound from a lackadaisical kick from Wellington’s full-back, Alan Hewson. Bruce Hay and Tomes ranged up in support, but the

gangling 1.96 m lock dallied over passing to two unmarked team-mates, and was hauled down by a desperate Wellington defence.

Scotland tried several variations oh attack, with the burly Hay moving in from the blind-side wing and the full-ba6k, Peter Dods, joining the line inside the wings. But Wellington’s defence was equal to the challenge, and even Jim Renwick’s jazzy footwork failed to deceive the tacklers.

In contrast, Wellington broke Scotland’s defence several times, and the bounding Fraser gave the tourists an example of what they can expect from him in the tests. He scored two tries, the first from a wonderful run of 50m in which he beat Dods with an elaborate series of swerves, and escaped from a bear hug by Bill Cuthbertson to score in Hay’s tackle. His second try, scored lOmin later, was the result of a clean catch of a chip kick by Hewson, who joined the attack effectively several times.

The most interesting aspect of Wellington’s refreshing back play was the fine form shown by Wilson and Salmon in mid-field. In only his third match as a second five-eighths, Salmon played

with such purpose that he must now be a strong candidate for the test team. His attacking play was quick and intelligent; his defence always sound. Wilson is a certainty for the right wing position against Scotland, and can be regarded in a similar category as centre against the Springboks. A test centre against the Pumas five years ago, Wilson demonstrated that his considerable talents are utilised far more in midfield than when he is placed on the wing. He was the focal point of the Wellington attack, countering a drifting Scottish defensive screen by sprinting and swerving on a diagonal path through to the cover defence.

Wellington's support play and its mauling was a feature of the game, and Standish, Murray Mexted and Scott Crichton were prominent in this respect. Mexted, the prospective AU Black No. 8. came through the game well, although he admitted the fast pace of proceedings had him gasping near the end.

Because of an ankle injury he has not played for four weeks, but a further game for his club this afternoon should aid his recovery. The most popular Welling-

ton performer was the bearded lock, Brendon Gard’ner, who turned 30 on the day. He scored a try 4min into the second half to clinch the match for his team, and it was his long pass which gave Fraser room in which to manoeuvre on the way to his first try. Wellington:' Fraser (2) and Gard’ner tries; Hewson penalty goal and two conversions. Scotland: Cuthbertson try; Rutherford dropped goal; Dods conversion and two penalty goals. Statistics.— Line-outs: Scotland 16, Wellington 8. Scrums: Scotland 26, Wellington 20. Tight heads: Scotland 1, Wellington 0. Rucks: Wellington 15, Scotland 7. Penalties: Scotland 8, Welling-