Big rugby victory to Combined Services

Press, 2 December 1985, Page 29

Big rugby victory to Combined Services

NZPA staff correspondent London Combined Services rugby wants to be upgraded in New Zealand after thrashing their British counterparts, 41-0, on Saturday. “This tour should prove to the people back home that we need a little more recognition,” said the teams manager, Stuart Jameson, after the match. The combined Army-Air Force-Navy-Police side aims to at least get a match against international sides visiting New Zealand. They think they have proved their point by winning all their tour matches so far by wide margins — including the first “test,” 600, against British Police and the overwhelming defeat of British Combined Services at Devonport, Plymouth, on Saturday. Jameson, an Army officer based in Wellington, said: “University and Maori rugby gets recognition. We think Combined Services should be up there. One of the unstated aims of the tour was to get a match against a touring side.” He noted favourable British reports about the team skippered by the All Black loose forward, Wayne Shelford, who added three tries to his tour tally in another

devastating performance on Saturday. “Frankly we are teaching the British teams how to play attacking rugby,” the manager said. Lieutenant Colonel Jameson added that Combined Services had already stated its case in New Zealand by beating Wellington, Otago and Manawatu during the last three years. The touring side includes seasoned provincial players, particularly in a forward pack which has destroyed the opposition. The team is the first to represent all the services in Britain and their trip marks the fortieth anniversary of the tour by Charlie. Saxton’s post-war kiwis, also popular visitors.

They scored six tries on a wet pitch on Saturday. Shelford’s charges from the base of the scrum were nearly unstoppable, and he crossed the fine once with three tacklers hanging from him. The full-back, Sard McLean, the lock, Murray Rosenbrook, and the first five-eighth, Api Rangihuna, also scored tries. Rangihuna kicked four conversions and three penalty goals. The Navy half-back, Jamie Hohapata, used clean ball from his forwards to provide an excellent service.

The home side was unable to score even though it attacked the New Zealand line and forced the tourists to make tackles which have not been required in other tour games. The speedy England wing, Underwood, a couple of dashes but was gathered in by the defence. New Zealand lost its flanker, Murray Henderson, and wing, Chris Cookson, with injuries.

Scorers NEW ' ZEALAND COMBINED SERVICES: 41 (Wayne Shelford (3), Murray Rosenbrook, Sam McLean, Api Rangihuna tries, Rangihuna four conversions and three penalties.

BRITISH COMBINED SERVICES 0.