N.Z. Universities win

Press, 25 August 1986, Page 24

N.Z. Universities win

PA Auckland New Zealand beat Australia, 22-14, in the World Universities Rugby League Cup tournament at Carlaw Park on Saturday. Both sides looked the pick of the teams which have played to date in the roundrobin series.

France showed flair only late in a 14-8 victory over Great Britain.

Papua New Guinea, which had a bye on Saturday, will play Great Britain tomorrow, when France will met New Zealand in the early game. New Zealand, with the internationals, Howie Tamati, as captain and hooker, and Tea Ropati, in the centres,

played with gusto and professionalism after some initial uncertainty. The Kiwi students, strong around the rucks, produced attacking efforts which the Australians found hard to curtail.

The former New Zealander, Mr Geoff Bates, who coaches the Australians, said his team will show its real quality in the next game, against Britain on Thursday. Britain rarely rose above the mediocre, showing little in either attacking or defensive skills against France. Sadly for the New Zealand Universities Rugby League Council, the number of paying spectators at Carlaw Park scarcely outnumbered

players and officials. Mr Tom McKeown, the Kiwi manager and Auckland Rugby League treasurer, said: "I only found out the game was on by accident. There was so littlq advertising, no wonder no-one knew about it.” Scorers: New Zealand 22 (John Ropati, Tea Ropati, Uiti Tui tries; J. Ropati 2 con, pen; T. Ropati, con, pen) Australia 14 (Steven Sharp, Scott Seamer tries; Glen Robin 2 con, pen). Half-time: 8-8.

France 14 (Dominique Expugna 2, Phillippe Lapeyre tries; Expugna con) Great Britain 8 (David Brennan pen, con; Lawrence Freeman try). Half-time: 0-0.