Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Wednesday 13 September 1972, page 32


Wallabies beat combined side

by 22-19

G1SBORNE, N Z, Tuesday. - The Australian rugby union

team beat the combined Poverty BayEast Coast team at

Rugby Park today,

22-19.

In a rather scrappy game in which neilhcr set of hacks was able to move freely, ihe combined side had the better of the first half, hut faded in the second, which the Australians dominated.

Flying Wallaby winger Jeff McLean, scored J 4 of Australia's points - a try, two conversions and two penalty goals. He missed two kicks in the sccond half, however, which would normally have been relatively easy for him.

A lasl-mintile try to Ihe combined side's lock, Graeme Allen, which was converted from the sideline by ccntre Henry Huriwai, reduced Australia's winning margin.

Jubilant athletes swap parts of their uniforms in the crowded Munich Olympic stadium after the sombre

closing ceremony of the 20th Olympiad on Monday

night. - AAP-AP cable picture.

Neither side was helped by some puzzling decisions from North Auckland referee, Bob Watson. His decisions at times left all 30 players perplexed, but the Australians particularly.

Sometimes the combined backs were standing up so far at set play it seemed they would have to look over their shoulders to see their forwards. All this went unnoticed by Watsoc.

Australian full-back Russell Fairfax, a tour failure up to today, had a much better .came and as far as New Zealandcrs arc concerned. he is a better fullback than a five-eighth.

He was taking the ball beautifully, and several times elected to run from deep inside his own territory rather than kick.

Half-back Gary Grey had another great game. Many limes he got the Australians out of trouble, and he was instrumental in the fact that the crowd saw a quiet lan Kirkpatrick in the second half.

The Wallabies were still

Russell Fairfax

making silly mistakes. but lo offset this, the backs were doing some line things too, and in particu

lar ccntre David Burnet had a better day.

Scorers: Australia. .T. J. McLean, D. L'Estrange, D. Burnet, tries; McLean, two conversions, two penalties. Poverty Bay-East Coast. I. A. Kirkpatrick, G. Allen, tries; H. Huriwai, conversion, three penalties.