Tusk Cup to Manukau

Press, 14 October 1985, Page 48

Tusk Cup to Manukau

PA Auckland The Manukau Magpies have had their wings clipped twice this season but yesterday they were in full flight as they triumphed over the Randwick Kingfishers to win the national club knockout rugby league championship. The 34-13, six tries to two, victory in the final of the 125,000 Tusk Cup won the Magpies $15,000 in compensation for not capturing the Auckland Fox Memorial grand final against Mt Albert. “It’s sweet,” said Mr Cameron Bell, the Manukau coach, after the match. “It’s a proud way to bow out of the season.” For a greater part of the season the Magpies have been called a two-man team because of their dynamic Kiwi duo of Owen Wright and Clayton Friend. Yesterday, they proved once and for all that it is their team work and mobility which have won them their paramount place. In contrast to the individual efforts of the Wellingtonians, especially their big forwards, the pace and strength of the Manukau forwards stopped the charges of their opponents, and paved the way for the backs to charge themselves for the line. Kennedy Taogaga, the Manukau man of the match, and Chappie Pine, especially blunted the thrust of Randwick’s offensive moves. But always there to lend a hand were Glen and lan Bell, Peter Rewha, Tracy McGregor and later Sonny Rewha. Kelly Shelford, Steve Skelton, Paul Okasene and Wayne Thompson were always a danger to the visitors who never managed to contain them. The full-back, George Lajpold, was first to go with a leg injury. The captain, Rodney Rasmussen, bravely stayed on in the third quarter in spite of obviously bad concussion.

The prop forward, Snow Waihi, who had been one of the strong trio, with the hooker, Ralph Moore and his fellow prop, Simon Foua, at last put points on the board with a try for Randwick.

The conversion by Gerard Katene and a drop goal by the half-back, Bobby Perica, lent some respectability to the score which then stood at 24-7.

Another burst at the start of the final quarter saw the replacement forward, aPue, score dck’s second try, which was again converted by Katene. But, before the Randwick scoring efforts, Manukau had run in four tries to lead by 24-0. The first try came after Paul Okasene had sprinted 60 metres from his own 5m mark. When stopped, a little magical passing by Kelly Shelford led to Peter Rewha scoring by the post.

Then came a Shelford intercept of Lance Pupuke’s pass in Manukau territory. Another 80 metre break followed and, when stopped by the converging Lou Kupa and George Lajpold, Shelford was stopped from playing the ball. The resultant penalty allowed Shelford to add another two points from the goal. As if that was not bad enough for Randwick, Lajpold was hurt in the tackle and had to leave the field. Shelford was not to be denied his try. Kennedy Taogaga and Rewha combined to put him through for his try and, in his attempt to stop the movement, Rasmussen was concussed when making a tackle. Taogaga and Pine were next to score with Shelford missing the conversion, but Terry Rawiri slotting the other.

After Randwick’s brief scoring spree, Manukau took advantage of the tiring Kingfishers to round off their scoring through the long arm of Richard Rawiri reaching over the line to touch down, and Shelford outpacing the defence to score his second try of the match.

Scorers:— Able Towing Manukau, 34 (K. Shelford 2, P. Rewha, C. Pine, R. Rawiri, K. Taogaga, tries; Shelford 2 conversions, penalty; Terry Rawiri, 2 conversions). Avago Randwick, 13 (S. Waihi, S. Pue, tries; G. Katene 2 conversions; B. Perica, drop goal). Quarterscores: 6-0, 14-0, 24-7, 34-13.