Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Monday 11 September 1972, page 15


Waikato downs

Wallabies

26-24

HAMILTON, NZ, Sunday (AAP). - A points bonanza from the Australian rugby union team's flying publican, winger Jeff McLean w a~s not enough to stop the Wallabies from going down 26 points to 24 to a determined Waikato side at Rugby Park at Hamilton yesterday.

McLean scored 20 of the Australian's points, but he was about the only bright spot in a Wallaby team which bore no resemblance to (hat which threat

ened the All Blacks in the i second half of last Satur

day's Test. I

Each one of Waikato's

three tries came from mis-' takes by Wallabies, and, other mistakes by them' ruined their moves and gave Waikato plenty of

opportunities.

At one point, the Wallabies ^ looked to be in a winning position but Waikato rattled on three tries in nine minutes to virtually

seal the result.

McLean scored a try, converted two tries and kicked four penalty goals. Australia s other points came from a try by David

Burnett.

Among the mysteries of the Australian performance, one of the greatest would be the giving of early goalkicks to Arthur McGil), whose kicking on tour has not been good

while McLean is in top

form. ^

The loss was the sixth suffered by the Australians and with only two more matches to play, including the third Test next Saturday, their record is dismal.

Brilliant win to students

SYDNEY, Sunday. -Sydney University had a brilliant 22-8 win over Gordon in a bruising rugby union semi-final at North Sydney Oval yesterday, but paid dearly in terms of injur

ies. j

University lost three ' Players injured and lock forward Greg Johnson saw jne game out with damaged

ligaments. b

The other injured plavers were Roger Davis (concussion), Kevin O'Hara

(suspecled fractured collar- ( bone) and Geoff Hall (torn

ligaments).

University will miss these players when it meets the winner of next Saturday's prelim,nary final between Gordon and Eastwood in

£ 2^nd f'naI °n ^Ptem

It scored three tries to two and only inaccurate £ kicking from Ruoerf Rosenblum and O'Hara

prevented a runaway win. j