S.I. hope renewed

Press, 3 August 1981, Page 3

S.I. hope renewed

By

JOHN COFFEY

South Island, a rank outsider about a week ago, now has an outstanding opportunity to win the national interdistricts rugby league tournament and qualify to participate in the 1982 Tooth Cup competition in Australia.

the South’s chance to take part in the richest sporting contest in Australasia — the Tooth Cup prize-money totalled more than sAust4oo,ooo this season — is the result of a 19-10 victory by Central Districts over Auckland at New Plymouth on Saturday. The upset defeat of Auckland ensures that, for the second consecutive year, the

inter-districts title will be decided on scoring percentages. But South is particularly well positioned to gain top ranking on the countback. Central and Auckland have completed their campaigns with two wins and a loss. South will have a similar record if it beats Northern Districts at the Show Grounds next Saturday, and it will slip ahead of its rivals if its margin of success is in excess of six points. At present Auckland has a points differential of plus 12; Central’s differential is plus eight, and South — after a 27-28 loss to Auckland and an 18-11 win over Central — has plus six.

Last year Central, Auckland and South finished in that order after being level on competition points. Next Saturday, South has the only moderately difficult target of having to beat Northern by more than six points to clinch the title for the first time. Scorers: Central 19 (K. R. Tamati, L. Kupa, G. L. West, J. Knuckey, W. Greenland tries; H. Puketapu two goals) beat Auckland 10 (P. Poasa, G. J. Prohm tries; N. Wright two goals).

P W L F A Pts Auck 3 2 1 70 584<H-12) Cent 3 2 1 54 46 4(4-8) Sth 2 1 1 45 39 2(4-6) Nth 2 0 2 30 56 0(-26)