N.Z. ‘l0 points better’

Press, 1 September 1986, Page 36

N.Z. ‘l0 points better’

PA Rotorua Bay of Plenty’s rugby coach, Gary Jones, believes the All Blacks will be 10 points better than Australia in the third test at Eden Park on Saturday. Mr Jones predicted after the tourists 41-13 win over the Bay at the Rotorua Stadium on Saturday that Australia would struggle in the test unless its forward play improved and its back play became more varied. He said he was unimpressed by many facets of the Wallabies’ play and

felt Saturday’s winning margin was exaggerated by Bay of Plenty’s poor fortune.

“If a pack like ours can hold them at those fiveyard scrums, I think they’re going to have to improve their technique there before Saturday,” he said.

“Unless their pack improves and they come up with something different in the backs, I would say the All Blacks would have to win by ten points. "I think they maul well and against our pack they could push us around but

I’m sure with a heavy pack like the All Blacks, once they get that ballcarrier and they can hold him up or put him on the deck, that’s where it’s going to stop.”

Mr Jones conceded Australia’s win was deserved but said Bay of Plenty had tried hard but been frustrated by the bounce of the ball.

“I think we played very well,” he said. “We played their test side and no doubt the Australians deserved to win. They played well but the bounce of the ball at

times cost us points. “I think we could have been a lot closer. I don’t think the score was a tremendous indication of the game.” Mr Jones disputed a penalty try awarded to Australia in the 36th minute when a Bay of Plenty forward ranged off-side at a five metre scrum. “That’s something I just can’t work out,” he said. “I think I know the rules but that one’s got me beat. I don’t know how they can give penalty tries there because it didn’t look one to me.”