N.Z. win sets up league showdown

Press, 11 July 1988, Page 40

N.Z. win sets up league showdown

From

JOHN COFFEY

in Auckland

New Zealand’s world record rugby league victory over Papua New Guinea at Carlaw Park yesterday has set the scene for a fitting World Cup showdown with Great Britain at the Addington Show Grounds on Sunday.

The Kiwis more than made up for their shock loss in the first leg at Port Moresby two years ago by severely damaging Papua New Guinean pride, 66-14, in the return match.

In scoring 12 tries and nine goals the Kiwis achieved the biggest team total and winning margin in 81 years of international rugby league. It was a stunning reply to the shock 26-12 win by Britain at Australia’s expense in Sydney the previous day. Both nations will go into Sunday’s head-on clash to find the second World Cup finalist as laststart conquerors of the Australians.

New Zealand’s performance in exposing Papua New Guinea’s inexperience and lack of physical strength among the forwards was not without its imperfections. It would be petty, though, to dwell too much on the minor mistakes understandable in a first-up display. When the Kiwis led by 30-0 at half-time an extensive rewriting of the record books was probable. To their credit, the Kumuls produced the spirit and enterprise to claim two second-half tries, but New Zealand was again in complete command over the closing stages. When Darrell Williams

surged up from fullback to score smin from fulltime, Australia’s previous test best of 62 points (to 12 by P.N.G. in 1986) was exceeded. Peter Brown’s conversion bettered the 51-point margin achieved by the Kiwis in Port Moresby in 1982.

Brown kicked erratically for a time, but his nine goals — the last seven consecutive, four of them from wide angles — were one more than any New Zealander has kicked against a touring team in this country, but two short of Des White’s world test record at Brisbane in 1952.

So positive were the Kiwis that a simple penalty goal was ignored in the fifth minute. Instead, Clayton Friend took a tap kick and Kevin Iro’s forceful fend carried him across for the first of his three tries. The Kumuls were still suffering from pre-match nerves when Mark Graham imperiously surged through for the try which gave 12,000 spectators a splendid opportunity to welcome him back into a Kiwi jersey. Papua New Guinea simply did not have the size or the power to resist a rampant Adrian Shelford, an even beefier boy than the one who left Hornby to successfully

seek football fame and fortune. Shelford’s additional bulk has in no way reduced his momentum or ability to link with his supports.

One of the Kumuls props, Yer Bom, unwisely charged straight at Shelford on a collision courrse. This Bom did not actually explode, but neither did he return after half-time.

Brown and Wayne Wallace also carried out their front-row duties effectively, and the backrow trio — Graham, Sam Stewart and Mark Horo — did their share of skilful distribution in addition to pouring through on to the passes of others. Eight of New Zealand’s try-scoring manoeuvres were completed by the three-quarters, Shane Horo, Gary Mercer and Iro. Finishing was their strong suit, with the inside men, Dean Bell, Shane Cooper and Clayton Friend, committed to providing them with plenty of attacking opportunities.

Esene Faimalo became Canterbury’s latest Kiwi when he replaced Stewart after 62 minutes. The lessons absorbed while rooming with Graham were soon put to good effect, Faimalo being responsible for several typically rampaging runs. “i was a bit nervous at

first," said Faimalo, “but once I was out there the boys picked me up and I just played football. It was good to be part of a big win in my first game.”

Not having scored after 50 min, the Kumuls were rewarded for courage in also spurning a simple penalty kick before a deft grubber kick by Oarius Haili led to a try to the hard-working hooker, Michael Matmillo.

Papua New Guinea’s other try went to its North Sydney professional, Dairi Kovae, also after a tactical kick — one defensive deficiency the Kiwis must eliminate before Sunday. Details:

New Zealand 66 (Kevin Iro three, Shane Horo three, Gary Mercer two, Adrian Shelford, Wayne Wallace, Mark Graham, Darrell Williams tries; Peter Brown nine goals) beat Papua New Guinea 14 (Michael Matmillo, Dairi Kovae tries; Bal Numapo three goals). Half-time, 30-0. Scrums, N.Z. 11-7. Penalties, P.N.G. 10-5. Referee: Greg McCallum (Australia).

To play: July 17, Britain v. New Zealand at Christchurch; July 20, Australia v. P.N.G. at Wagga Wagga.

World Cup standing (all played seven): WDL F A Pt Aust 5 0 2 182 83 10 GB 4 2 1 193 78 10 NZ 4 1 2 146 76 9 PNG 2 0 5 76 255 4