Hewson puts record right

Press, 22 June 1981, Page 19

Hewson puts record right

No more will rugby followers be able to point out Allan Hewson as the All Black who took seven kicks at goal in Glasgow in 1979 and missed them all. On Saturday at Eden Park he again had seven attempts and goaled frojn six of them, all conversions, which set an All Black test record. Bob Scott’s five against Australia in a 1947 test was the previous record. Like Scott, Hewson is a Petone man and they both rejoiced in the old club’s victory in the Swindale Shield final in Wellington on Saturday., With two tries as a just reward for his admirable attacking play, Hewson fin- • ished the game with a staggering total of 20 points,

the second-best tally by a New Zealander in a test, and became the first full-back to score two tries.. Fergie. McCormmick’s 24 points on the same ground 12 years ago remains the world record. Hewson's elevation in status illustrates the glorious uncertainty of sport. After the All Blacks’ 1979 tour of England and Scotland. Hewson joined the long list of New Zealand's cast-off fullbacks and did little to suggest in the national trials this year that he had improved. But when David Halligan withdrew from the first test team Hewson was given a second chance. He has not looked back since.