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Galway Advertiser 1989/1989_12_21/1989_11_16/GA_16111989_E1_018.pdf
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Connacht 6 New Zealand 40 T h e N e w Z e a l a n d A l l Blacks continue their unstopable m a r c h across I r e l a n d after defeating a r a v e C o n n a c h t X V b y 40 - 6 a t the S p o r t s g r o u n d in G a l w a y o n T u e s d a y . T h e o u t c o m e w a s n e v e r i n question, b u t to C o n n a c h t ' s credit it w a s n o t t h e d r u b b i n g m a n y e x pected o r the p l a y e r s ' f e a r e d .
For New Zealand it was their 38th consecutive win, and few would expect even an Irish national team to stop this powerful pack when they meet at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. While Connacht may not have been able to take the match to the All Blacks, who commanded the ter ritorial advantage, they produced a fine display of containment, particularly in the first half , where they held the All Blacks to a 13 - 3 lead. As expected Noel McCarthy's men lifted their performance with a level of tackling not previously seen in this pro vince, and a hardworking backrow trio, where Mannion once again made a valuable contribution to the Connacht cause.
Connacht Grateful
But the New Zealand total, which included eight tries , one conversion and two penalties, emphasised the incredible strength of this world No.l team. Ironically All Black outhalf Frano Botica , who collected half his team's points, also missed an in credible eight kicks at goal. Connacht can be grateful for these failures
which spared Connacht the possible humiliation of providing the All Blacks with their greatest win this tour. Within twelve minutes the All Blacks opened the scoring when Botica cut through on the blindside for a try - the only one he converted. But a fine kick by Connacht outhalf Sean O'Beirne caught the New Zealanders temporarily off-guard in the heavy con ditions and a timely in terception by Enda Guerin gave the 8000 crowd their first glimpse of Connacht inside the All Black territory. But after a feeble drop goal attempt by the flanker Mick Fitzgibbon, Connacht were forced to play most of the re mainder in their own half. O'Beirne missed a straightforward penalty kick, but collected three points for Connacht within 22 minutes to open their scoring. Minutes later
Botica countered with a penalty and then a second try by Andy Earl after All Black captain Wayne Shelford broke from the scrum just short of the Connacht line. Before half time O'Beirne was able to kick another useful three penal ty points to keep his side well within the match on a 13 - 6 scorelilne.
Second half test
The fog descending heavily on the Sport sground after half time seemed an ominous sign for the home side. As seen on this tour so clearly, the New Zealanders changed gear at the resumption, outclassing their Connacht opponents with superior fitness, ball handling and speed. Within two minutes Botica went over for the first of six second half tries and there was little Con nacht could do to stop the All Black rampage as both forwards, particularly the frontrow, and backs ran rings round their opponents. Botica collected one more try and penalty goal, Andy Earl a second try, and one each for Va'aiga Tuigamala, fullback Mat thew Ridge and scrumhalf Bruce Deans. But the tiring Connacht XV never gave up and were heralded with cheers on the two occasions they were able to break into New Zealand 22. Despite the result the Connacht players and supporters can rest in the knowledge that they faced the world's ultimate team with a strength of purpose and spirit.
Scrum
half BRUCE DEANS breaks away with MICK FITZGIBBON and SEAN O'BEIRNE in pursuit.
TEXT PHOTOGRAPHS
LINLEY MACKENZIE MIKE SHAUGHNESSY
G a l w a y F a n s G r e e t A l l Black McCahill
When All Black centre Bernie McCahill ran out onto the Galway Sportsground on Tuesday, there were more than just New Zealand supporters eager to see this 25-year-old perform.
McCahill, whose grand parents emigrated from Galway to New Zealand, had a personal following of Irish relations and fans with whom he has become acquainted during three visits to Ireland since 1987. "It's been a great day for me - all my relations have been talking about the All Blacks and I didn't want to let them down, myself or the team, " McCahill said. The Auckland player, who made his debut for the New Zealanders in 1987, has strong connections with Galway County. His grandfather John Fox hail ed from Carnmore , and his grandmother was a Hogan from Ballindooley. His father was born in Donegal. "The Irish influence in our family as always been strong and we have always been members of Irish clubs at home." McCahill also plays Gaelic football - and was chosen to play in a New Zealand-Australian team against an Irish side in 1986. "It was an honour for us even if we got a severe drubbing. " says the player who has yet to ex perience a loss with the All Blacks. "Yes, fear of losing is a big motivation. We don't want to be the ones to let down that tradition. I guess the day will come, but I don't want to be on the losing team." side. Although he showed early promise - playing for the NZ Colts between 1984 - 85, he found it difficult to break into a well-formed Auckland team . His first 12 games were spent over two years at either centre or on the wing. '"Getting into the Auckland side was a bonus. To get into the All Blacks is the best. I sat on the benches for three years because the team was so strong and although I always wanted to be an All Black, I did not expect it." While McCahill is not a first test choice at present, he plays every game with the challenge of test selec tion in mid. "The competition is just so great. I want to get a test match, I need a test game, but tough luck if i don't. Many believe a player of McCahill's calibre would be an automatic Irish choice, but McCahill disagrees. I have never though about it though many peo ple have asked me. WW* I have the chance to oay for new Zealand I wouw never dream of play"* anywhere else."
Tackling power by Connacht's NOEL MANNION and ENDA GUERIN on New Zealand out half FRANO BOTICA.
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Captain a n d Coach Compliment Connacht
All Black Captain Wayne Shelford and coach Alex "Grizz" Wyllie paid tribute to the Connacht XV for their strong tr-kling ability against the forceful New Zealanders. After Tuesday's game, Shelford said he has been mpressed with the tackling performance of all Irish provinces. "The Irish crash into the tackle and put the player in possesion on the ground. In Wales they tend to stand off and allow you more freedom to use the ball." However the New Zealand captain emphasised the All Blacks ability to play 80 minute rugby. I " In the first half we made a few mistakes, but as I have always said, rugby is played over 80 minutes, not just forty. It is always in the last twenty minutes that our team seems to get going." Said Wyllie : " Connacht tackled very hard early on in the match." "I think some of our options in the first half were the wrong ones. We were putting players into positions where they were being set up."
Gaelic Second Choice
Despite the Irish connec tions, the Gaelic takes a backseat to his rugby career. "Obviously being a Kiwi rugby is my first choice. Gaelic is great, but for me it is a lot of fun, relaxing, a chance to practise my ball skills and something for the crack." McCahill has not had an easy ride into the All Black
N e w Zealand's Garry Whetton superior lineout skills against Connacht's Mick Moylett.