Queensland struggle

Press, 3 May 1984, Page 38

Queensland struggle

PA New Plymouth The gifted first fiveeighths, Michael Lynagh, kicked eight points to steer Queensland to a 16-6 win against Taranaki on a windswept Rugby Park yesterday. But it was an uninspired effort by the Australian state side and a poor dress rehearsal for its final match against Canterbury on Sunday. The Queenslanders struggled in the bitterly cold conditions to contain a revived Taranaki side, intent on improving its image after its shock loss to Wanganui on Anzac Day. Had it not been for Lynagh’s skill, Taranaki could well have won the match. When Taranaki threatened to attack in the second spell, Lynagh sent the home side back with effortless tactual kicking. He then

came to the rescue as his side struggled to hold on to its tenuous 10-6 lead midway through the second half. In the space of two minutes, the 20-year-old landed a 50-metre penalty goal and a 35-metre dropped goal to open a 10point lead. Each side scored a converted try in the first spell. The Queensland captain, Andrew Slack, brushed aside some haphazard tackling to score the first points. It was a simple cutback move from a scrum, but was aided by poor Taranaki defence. Lynagh converted the try. Right on half-time, Taranaki drew level when the former All Black Murray Watts, scored at the end of a blindside move featuring the All Black, Dave Loveridge, and firs| five-

eighth, Brian Quin. Kieran Crowley converted.

Five minutes into the second spell, Taranaki paid for another bout of shoddy tackling when the second five-eighths, Tim Lane, cut through near the posts. Lynagh’s conversion attempt hit the upright and bounced away.

The Queensland forwards were never able to master the Taranaki pack and might find things tough against the better-drilled Canterbury eight. Taranaki was edged out in the lineouts but won parity in the rucks. Apart from Lynagh, the Queensland backs were unimpressive.

Scorers. — Queensland 16 (A. Slack, T. Lane tries; M. Lynagh conversion, penalty goal, dropped goal), Taranaki 6 (M. Watts try, K. Crowley conversion).