Aust, press heaps praise on Kiwis

Press, 23 July 1987, Page 33

Aust, press heaps praise on Kiwis

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney

New Zealand’s victorious rugby league team earned accolades from the Australian press yesterday for its stunning 13-6 win over Australia on Tuesday evening. “The youthful Kiwis combined their little experience with talent and admirable conviction to snare a victory most critics considered impossible,” the “Australian” newspaper reported. Under the headline, “Kiwis dance haka on grave

of Invincibles,” the “Australian” said that New Zealand ended Australia’s unbeaten run of 24 matches, which included nine tests. It was the first time Australia had faced a genuinely good team for some time and was unreservedly outclassed.

“New Zealand, in the process of rebuilding its future, following the dismissal of the coach, Graham Lowe, and the retirement of many leading players, was expected to use the one-off test to gain valuable experience,” the “Australian” said. “Instead the Kiwis gave Australia a lesson in playing concentrated football for 80 minutes - with youth leading the way.

“Names such as Mark Horo, Ross Taylor, Sam Stewart, Adrian Shelford, Kevin Iro and Gary Mercer were unknown before last night but they are now the talk of rugby league, and especially Sydney’s eagleeyed club bosses.” The Sydney Daily Telegraph said a team of New Zealand “unknowns,” earning as little as $25 a game, became instant heroes when they tore Australia’s world champion tag to shreds. “It was a truly astonishing victory, even allowing for the unexpected Kiwi wins against Australia in 1983 and 1985," the “Telegraph” said.

The “Sydney Morning Herald” said that the Australians were beaten by a gutsy and determined Kiwi team. “New Zealand deserved their win. They were clearly the better side, more disciplined and hungrier for victory than the Australian team,” it said.

“They delivered bruising defence, a perfectly executed plan to force the Australian team into error, and plenty of commitment.”