Leota shines in Canty shakedown

Press, 2 April 1987, Page 44

Leota shines in Canty shakedown

By

KEVIN McMENAMIN

Canterbury got the solid rugby workout it wanted — certainly in terms of a fastpaced game — when it beat South Canterbury, 42-12, before a crowd of about 3000 at Rugby Park last evening.

The score, however, was somewhat deceiving as South Canterbury kept Canterbury in check for a long time, and was behind only 12-15 at half-time. At the finish Canterbury had five tries to its credit, with three of them coming in the last lOmin when a resolute South Canterbury defence finally wavered. The best of the five was clearly the first, which was scored in the opening minute. The prop, Chris Earl, completed a lovely 50m movement which Robbie Deans and Victor Simpson were largely responsible - for keeping alive.

Deans added the conversion, but this early try was no forerunner to a runaway win. Three handy penalty goals by Deans were the only other points Canterbury could manage before half-time, despite the fact that the side worked itself into some excellent attacking positions. From 0-12 down, South Canterbury fought back through the boot of Barry

Fairbrother, who found the posts with three penalty goals and a dropped goal.

Canterbury’s outstanding player was undoubtedly the left wing, Joe Leota. He showed more dash and vigour than he has in any previous game for Canterbury, and these qualities were evident in both his second half tries. The last two, in the fading minutes, went to Warwick Taylor and Allan Lindsay, the essential ingredients in each case being their speed through gaps.

Despite the final score, South Canterbury gave a good account of itself. Its defence, for much of the game, was first class and it won enough possession to push Canterbury into many hasty retreats through long, raking kicks.

Paul Ryan gave the Canterbury defence a few worries with his penetrative running, and Mick Smale showed plenty of zest off the side of the scrum. South Canterbury did surprisingly well in its

share of line-out possession, with Peter Cockburn the main supplier.

John McCaw and Albert Anderson were Canterbury’s best forwards, and Simpson came closest to matching Leota in the backs. Deans had a good night with his goal-kick-ing, missing only one attempt in 10. It was a far from perfect performance from Canterbury, but still quite a good one for this stage of the season against a much more seasoned rival.

The coach, Doug Bruce, said he was reasonably satisfied, but most of all he felt the game had served its purpose of giving Canterbury a solid preparation to fit it for its A.G.C. South Pacific campaign. Scores.—

Canterbury: Chris Earl, Leota (2), Taylor, Lindsay tries; Deans converted all five and kicked four penalty goals for a tally of 22 points. South Canterbury: Fairbrother three penalty goals, dropped goal.

Referee: Mr Rod Rudkin.