Performance pleases Trapp

Press, 31 August 1989, Page 48

Performance pleases Trapp

Auckland’s performance yesterday pleased its chief coach, Maurice HijCrapp, who was also delighted at having been able to bring the Ranfurly Shield to Ashburton for the challenge by MidCanterbury. He said that it had been good for the economy in Ashburton and Mid-Canterbury people had recognised Auckland’s gesture by word of mouth and by putting in a big effort around the oerioherv.

That Auckland came through the match without serious injury also left Mr Trapp content. Alan Whetton left the field in the first half with a head cut and Ant Strachan departed in the second, but the Auckland coach expects a full complement for the match against Canterbury. The scorer of five tries, Va’aiga Tuigamala, will return to the Auckland Colts team to play its Canterbury counter-

part on Saturday, however. Mr Trapp said that the team would be announced after training at Ashburton today. “The points came for us and that was good. We were lazy at times but it was a midweek game and I was pleased with the performance. It was nice to see the backs running well and taking the gaps which were there. Mid-Canterbury deserved credit, they never stopped trying to

drag people down.” The Mid-Canterbury coach, Grant Perry, marvelled at the Auckland control and co-ordina-tion. “They’re classy, the forwards keep making the ball available, they keep it close and they have the support. We wanted to attack all day, but they shut us down and we were left to tackle our hearts out. We missed some first tackles and you can’t do that against Auckland.”