World record for Deans

Press, 12 July 1984, Page 4

World record for Deans

NZPA staff correspondent Adelaide The full-back, Robbie Deans, helped himself to a world record total of 43 points as New Zealand crushed South Australia 99-0 in an international rugby match at the Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, last night. The Cantabrian’s personal haul, which came from three tries, one penalty goal and 14 conversions, was more than any individual has scored previously in an international match. But, to Deans’s personal chagrin, he missed the one kick that he would most have liked to have slotted. He. failed to convert Bernie Fraser’s last-minute try, thereby denying the All Blacks a winning margin of more than 100 points. Their score, still impressive, was the second highest a New Zealand team has posted in four matches against South Australian teams. They defeated the home side by 51-3 in 1957, 77-0 in 1962, 75-3 in 1980 and a then world record of 117-6 in 1974.

For much of last night’s match, played under floodlights, it seemed the All Blacks would threaten that score. They led by 53-0 at half-time but slowed in the early minutes of the second half before accelerating again near the close.

Deans had his best match in the All. Black trip, scoring three fine tries and converting

14 of tbe All Blacks’ 17 from a number of difficult angles. Only one of his conversion attempts was close to the post. The remainder were generally nearer the sideline where the All Black three-quarters did most damage. Fraser, having his first match for the AH Blacks since his recall after John Kirwan’s injury, scored tries on the left wing to stake an immediate claim for first test selection. With Deans, he was the most impressive of the Ail Black back division. All backs scored tries, Deans and Fraser three each, David Kirk and lan Dunn two and the remainder one apiece. Additionally, forwards Murray Mexted, Frank Shelford and Brian McGrattan crossed the South Australian tryline.

Almost nothing the home side could do could stem the flow of All Black scoring. They held the New Zealanders for seven minutes in the first spell until Deans notched their first points with a penalty. They then prevented them scoring for the first nine minutes of the second half but were beaten down by consistent pressure and succumbed spectacularly. Scores:—

All Blacks 99 (B. Fraser, R. Deans 3; D. Kirk, M. Clamp, I. Dunn 2; C. Green, W. Taylor, M. Mexted, F. Shelford, B. McGrattan, tries; Deans 14 conversions and a penalty goal) beat South Australia 0.