Botica boosts N.Z. score

Press, 21 July 1988, Page 44

Botica boosts N.Z. score

By

DAVID LEGGAT

of NZPA in Gosford

Six second half tries swept the All Blacks to a convincing, if patchy, victory over New South Wales B at Graham Park in Gosford yesterday. Leading 15-9 at halftime, the All Blacks bolted away in the second half, eventually winning 45-9. The match, played in sunny, pleasant conditions in front of a crowd of about 6000, produced some outstanding indivi-. dual All Black performances and some periods of scintillating teamwork. However, there were stages of the match, notably halfway through the second half, when play deteriorated as both teams had a, bad case of the bumbles. New South Wales B be-

gan energetically, wresting second phase ball from the All Blacks, and its bustling style knocked the tourists off their stride for a time.

However, the All Blacks had sufficient class and experience to ride the early problems, take charge in the lineouts and win with ease as the New South Wales challenge faded in the second spell.

For the All Blacks none did better than the first five-eighth, Frano Botica. Given the job of goalkicker, he finished the match with 17 points, from one try, one penalty and five conversions. He kicked seven out of 10 shots at goal and his general play was of the highest order.

John Schuster — who came on six minutes before half-time for the

luckless Warwick Taylor — ran superbly and picked up two tries; the new fullback, Shayne Philpott, was rewarded with a brace of tries in his debut; while the halfback, Graeme Bachop and the forwards, Andy Earl and Zinzan Brooke, also bagged tries.

Of the forwards Earl continued his fine recent form with an excellent all-purpose performance, winning lineout ball and driving strongly.

His fellow loose forwards, Brooke and Mike Brewer, had storming games around the field and Brewer chipped in with useful lineout ball.

The captain, Albert Anderson, and fellow lock, Murray Pierce, toiled well, while the loosehead prop, Ron Williams, had an impressive game in a

good scrummaging unit,

The All Blacks won the lineouts, 21-9, lost the penalty count 8-6, and for the third time on tour had a try ruled out for an earlier instance of foul play spotted by a touch judge. The scorer was Botica, after the ball moved right from a ruck, in the final minute of the first half.

The referee, Peter McPhillips, confirmed after the match he had disallowed the try and awarded a penalty for foul play by an All Black forward at the ruck. Scorers:—AU Blacks 45 (Shayne Philpott 2, John Schuster 2, Frano Botica, Zinzan Brooke, Andy Earl, Graeme Bachop tries; Frano Botica 5 conversions, penalty) beat NSW B 9 (Geoff White try; Marty Roebuck conversion, penalty). Half-time: 15-9.