Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Monday 28 August 1972, page 11


NAPIER, NZ, Sunday (AAP). — The touring Wallabies rugby team played one of its worst gam.es yesterday to go down to Hawke's Bay 14-15.

Hawke's Bay, three years ago the top representative side in New Zealand, was far from its best when, it took the field today, but was still £ood enough to beat the visi

tors.

Australian fly half Russell Fairfax, billed as the side's wonder boy, made mistake after mistake.

He was given a last chance to make good when Jeff McLean scored in the last minute. The game rested on his ability to convert the try, he failed. The Wallabies lacked cohesion and it was riot until the final minute that they showed any real determination and ability.

The half-time score

was 10-9 to (he Wallabies.

The Wallabies lost halfback Garry Grey after 21

minutes when he went off with a sprained ankle and was replaced by John Cornes, who did a great job.

Winger Jeff McLean had the chance to show his speed for the first time on the tour and he was rewarded with two tries.

Wallaby centre David L'estrange and David Rathie both had their moments and John Cole on the other wing had a good game.

The Australian scorers were: McLean two tries, Arlhur McGill one try, McLean one conversion.

Scorers for Hawke's Bay were: Geoff Martin try and drop R.oal, Paul Carney two penalties and

a conversion.

It was announced today that there would be no changes in the New Zealand team to play Australia in the second Test at Christchurch on Saturday.

The team was an

nounced in Wellington by the chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Mr J. Sullivan, and, at Napier by the chairman of selectors, Mr Ivan Vodanovich.

First choice for five eighth, Bob Burgess, is still unavailable because of illness.

The team for Saturday beat the Wallabies last week by 29 points to six.

The team is: Full back Trevor Morris; three quarters Bryan Williams, Bruce Robertson, Duncan Hales; five eighths, Mike Parkinson, John Dougan; halfback, Sid Going. Number eight, Alan Sutherland; flankers, Ian Kirkpatrick (captain) and Alistair Scown. Lock, Peter Whiting and Sam Strahan. Front row, Graham Whiting, Tane Norton, Jeff Matheson; reserves, Lin Colling, Graeme Sims, Phil Gard, Richie Guy, Alex Wyllie, Ron Urlich.

The Australian Test team will be announced after the match with Nelson's Bay on Tuesday,