All Blacks in strong heart for ’Boks

Press, 22 June 1981, Page 19

All Blacks in strong heart for ’Boks

From

JOHN BROOKS

in Auckland

“Bring on the Springboks" was the universal cry at Eden Park on Saturday after the lively All Blacks had scored a walloping win by the record score of 40-15 over Scotland in the second rugby international. It was the highest score achieved by New Zealand in a test and the seven-try effort in a spectacular match sent many of the 44.000 spectators home rejoicing in the thought that the South Africans would have been run off their feet. Their enthusiasm was shared, if in a more reserved manner, by Mr Peter Burke, who guided the All Blacks to a 2-0 series win against the Scots in his first venture as New Zealand coach.

“The boys finished on a high note and I think we’re ready to front up to the Springboks,” he said. “Our approach might be different but I wouldn’t like to say without seeing the ’Boks a few times.” However, it would be unwise to read too much into that glittering scoreline for the Scots were far from drubbed and for a period in the second half appeared to be poised for a winning thrust.

But with New Zealand ahead at 22-15 the tourists lost two chances and the All Blacks came back brilliantly to score 18 points in the last seven minutes.

As well as the home side played, however, the pack's reputation for excellence in second-phase play suffered as the Scots churned out rucked and mauled ball at the ratio of two to New Zealand's one. Although the All Blacks were assured in their use of the extra man,

the tourists ran the ball back to them with smart moves based on the triple scissors. It is also sobering to reflect that two of New Zealand’s try-scorers. Graham Mourie. whose authoritative leadership and diligent back-ing-up were so vital to the win, and Bruce Robertson, who presided serenely over the midfield in his thirtyfourth test outing, have declared themselves to be unavailable for the Springbok series.

But the dominating feeling •at Eden park on Saturday was one of unbounding joy at the quality of the rugby and the spirit which moved both sides to attack boldly. The All Blacks scored seven tries and went close to scoring about 10 others. The Scots had only one try in reply but they, too, had their near misses in a game of exceptional and exciting movement. There was more of interest in the first 15min than occurred in the entire first test in Dunedin a week earlier.

The Scottish captain, AndyIrvine, with a brave attempt at a smile, said, “It must have been a great game to watch. All credit to the All Blacks for their good play in the last lOmin. But • I am disappointed about the chances we missed: I thought we could have scored three times in the middle of the second half, and just one converted try would have put us within a point of the All Blacks at that stage.” Irvine acknowledged that All Black packs were always good and that New Zealand now had one of its best backlines for a long time. His awards for excellence went to the three-quarter line of Robertson, Stuart Wilson, and Bernie Fraser; the able half-back, Dave Lover-

idge; and Mourie, who, with his “tremendous” support play, . resembled another back.

Not every member of the winning side was an unqualified success — one or two were disappointing — but the cleverness of Loveridge and Mourie round the fringes and the blazing aggression of Wilson and Fraser on the wings outweighed shortcomings in other areas.

Not the least of the test successes was the New Zealand full-back, Allan Hewson, whose entries into the backline were strong and well timed. It was a game made to order for Hewson and he grasped the opportunity eagerly. The centre, Jim Renwick, was the outstanding attacker for Scotland and his penetrating runs had an improved All Black defence in difficulties. Bruce Hay atoned for his early departure with a broken wrist in the 1975 test on the same ground with powerful runs and hefty tackles but ’.John Rutherford appeared to become entranced by the excellence of his own footwork and one solo performance cost Scotland a try.

The return of Andy Haden made a distinct difference to the All Black pack. This was just as well, for his locking partner, Hud Rickit, struggled to make his presence felt. Playing at No. 3 in the line-out, Haden won much of New Zealand's ball in a 17-7 count and helped to bring solidity to the scrum.

But for all that the Scottish forwards almost broke even in total possession because of their unexpected success in rucks and mauls. They dived in over the ball to create a barrier for the All Blacks’ boots and the

home side, with its more • upright packing, found the i ball being winkled away’ to '. Scotland's businesslike half- ’ back. Roy Laidlaw.

Bill Cuthbertson and Jim Aitken were at the core of these sterling endeavours. Jim Calder was a busy forager, and the youthful lain Paxton was a fearless attacker from No. 8.

New Zealand's tight-head prop, Gary Knight, played with his customary application and Murray Mexted showed initiative, especially when he dummied his way off the back of the scrum to give Loveridge space to create a try for Mourie. After a superb up-and-under in the first quarter, Doug Rollerson played a little patchily at first fiveeighths. But he was an adequate link whenever the All Blacks brought an extra man in at speed to create opportunities for the three-quar-ters.

Wilson was irrepressible, scoring his tries almost cheekily, while Fraser made some remarkable runs, going under, round, and sometimes through defence lines.

In the course' of a much more controlled performance he also caught the Scottish right wing, Steve Munro, from behind after a thrilling chase, with an empty goalline beckoning. It was at this .stage, 24min into the second half, that Calder crossed the line after the visitors had won a scrum and two rucks in the move, but the Australian referee, Mr Carl Collett, who contributed much to the flow of the game, ruled that the ball had gone forward. Once again Andy Jefferd was thoroughly reliable on defence and struck a happy combination with Robertson in midfield. Rarely has an All Black back-line moved with such precision and this was all the more meritorious for the fact that the Scottish backs tended to crib some space as they deployed themselves on defence. The match ebbed and flowed for the first threequarters, with the All Blacks who were ahead, 10-6, at half-time, springing to 22-6 in the next llmin only for Scotland to pull up to 22-15. There the score remained for 17min until the New Zealanders came away with sweeping breaks which produced three tries in the last 7min. But this was no discredit to the Scots. It was more a case of the All Blacks creating their own chances and following them through with a purpose and polish that is all too rare. In spite of Mr Burke’s cautiousness it could be a winning formula against the Springboks.

For New Zealand: Wilson (3), Hewson (2), Mourie, and Robertson tries; Hewson six conversions.

For Scotland: Hay a try; Renwick a dropped goal; Irvine a conversion and two penalty goals.

Other details: Line-outs: New Zealand 17, Scotland 7 (half-time 9-3). Scrums: New Zealand 19, Scotland 14 (half-time 3-6). ' Rucks: Scotland 21, New Zealand 11 (half-time 12-8). Penalties: New Zealand 6, Scotland 3 (half-time 4-2).