Shield lures 6000 to Ashburton

Press, 31 August 1989, Page 1

Shield lures 6000 to Ashburton

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

The attraction of the Ranluriy anieia lured about 6000 spectators to the Ashburton showgrounds yesterday to watch the awesome Aucklanders take on the team once known as the mighty men from MidCanterbury. As expected the might yesterday was with Auckland, which won 66-0, but that did not dampen the occasion for the first shield match in the South Island since 1985. Before the match, the Mid-Canterbury coach, Grant Perry, said he would be

happy if his players gave of their best and played as a team. He was happy after the match — “even though it seeems funny saying that after a score like that.” Mr Perry said he and the players had learnt “a few things” from Auckland which they hoped to put into practice against their opposition in Saturday’s national championship match. As for Va’aiga Tuigamala, who scored five tries for Auckland, Mr Perry said it was great to see a wing with a decent fend.

“He used it a bit like Mike Tyson.” Auckland’s coach, Maurice Trapp, said he would now start thinking about the match against Canterbury on Saturday, a game which might settle championship honours in the first division. “Up until now I haven’t looked at Canterbury. I’ve avoided looking at videotapes. The studying starts now. But I’m expecting them to be the hardest to date. If we thought Otago was hard, this one will be harder still.” Match report, back page