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NZU beat NZ Defence Force 24-10
Monday, October 9th, 2006
NZU Rugby League beat the NZ Defence Force 24-10 at Palmerston North today.After being together for only the past two days from throughout the country, the New Zealand Universities rugby league side had an impressive first hit-up display today (Monday) by beating the New Zealand Defence Force 24-10 at Massey University’s impressive Institute of Sport grounds.
The first half resulted in the NZU side scoring two converted tries from broken play to lead 12-nil at halftime, before doubling their score to 24-nil by the start of the final quarter with a further two converted tries. NZDF finally got on the board with five minutes remaining when its fullback Henare Te Kautu crossed over before seeing his right wing Lionel Tiraa score his second and final try, two minutes later.
New Zealand Universities coach Trevor McLeod said despite his side making it hard for itself at times with poor ball handling and discipline in the first half, the game was a good warm-up for his team prior to its test against the Australian Universities side at Mt Smart Stadium, in Auckland this Saturday, the curtain raiser to the first Tri-Nations Test.
New Zealand Universities inside halves Ben Taraeka and Anton Gall of Massey Wellington and Otago Universities respectively combined well with some good running along with Victor Smith of Auckland University. Scott Hurrell of Canterbury University gave a faultless kicking display with all successful four converted kicks at goal along with scoring his side’s final try, following on from his younger brother Ben¡’s touch-down three minutes earlier.
NZU and Canterbury University’s Mikaere October and his replacement Hone Patrick of Victoria University also featured prominently for the students, while the seasoned NZDF captain Lawrence Erihe stood out for his side that only showed their true potential late in the game, after making too many turnovers earlier on.
New Zealand Universities 24 (Matt Deane, Victor Smith, Ben Hurrell, Scott Hurrell tries; Scott Hurrell 4 goals), New Zealand Defence Force 10 (Henare Te Kautu, Lionel Tiraa tries; Te Kautu goal). Halftime: NZU 12-nil. Referee: Owen Harvey (Manawatu).
NZU vs Australian Universities, 4pm, Saturday 14 October, Mt Smart, Auckland.
Click on NZU Rugby League Team 2006 to view biographies of this year’s representative squad and its officials.
