Test of records as Kiwis rampant

Press, 3 October 1983, Page 40

Test of records as Kiwis rampant

JOHN COFFEY

Hugh McGahan, the New Zealand loose forward, and his team-mates became the most prolific scorers in test rugby league when they beat Papua New Guinea, 6020, at Carlaw Park, Auckland, yesterday.

The six tries and 24 points contributed by McGahan are both new standards at the code’s highest level, and the Kiwis also became the first national side to reach 60 points against another country. The previous individual test try-scoring record was four — jointly held by two British players, Billy Boston, against New Zealand at Auckland in 1954, and Alex Murphy, at the expense of the French at Leeds five years later. McGahan’s 24 points — he benefits from the recent increase in the value of a try to four points — also surpassed the test pointsscoring record. It was held by another New Zealander, Des White, who kicked 11 goals (22 points) against Australia at Brisbane in 1952.

The youthful McGahan had appeared in only two previous tests — as a replacement against Australia at Sydney and against Papua New Guinea at Port Moresby (when he scored twice) last year. Rex Percy, also a loose forward, is the only other player to have touched down six times in a Kiwi jersey. He achieved his feat against Central Queensland in 1956.

New Zealand’s team total exceeded all others in 76 years of test football. New Zealand (56-5 over Papua New Guinea in 1982) (Aus-

tralia 56-6 against France in 1960) had shared the previous record, with New Zealand’s 51-point margin still the biggest. The 80 points yesterday also established a new aggregate. The next best are 75, when Australia had a 5421 win over South Africa in 1963, and 74, in New Zealand’s 49-25 victory against Australia in 1952.

The International Rugby League Board has rescinded its decision to stop the clock for goal kicks, so yesterday’s records will become even more difficult to surpass. McGhan and Kurt Soren,sen shared the “man of the match” award. Sorensen was an awesome figure to the Papua New Guinea defence, and had a hand in all but one of New Zealand’s 11 tries.

Both of Canterbury’s Kiwis had satisfactory debuts. Marty Crequer scored a try in his first appear-

ance, and was close to adding another two. Alfeld received fewer opportunities on the other wing before switching to full-back in place of Nick Wright, who had a disappointing match apart from his eight goals. Papua New Guinea replied with three tries and four goals, but was outclassed by the New Zealand forward trio of Sorensen, Owen Wright and McGahan. Sorensen combined magnificently with McGahan to leave the opposing defence in tatters. Details.— New Zealand 60 (H. J. McGahan six, D. Bell three, O. Wright, M. P. Crequer tries; N. Wright eight goals) beat Papua New Guinea 20 (I. Segeyaro, K. Aria, M. Kitiman tries; P. Kila three, A. Taumaku goals). Halftime, 30-14. Referee, Mr J. Gocher (Australia). Crowd, 8000.