NZ Army in full retreat on rugby field

JOHN BISSET/Timaru Herald

MAN HANDLED: South Canterbury routed the New Zealand Army rugby team in the second half when their forward pack got on a roll at Alpine Energy Stadium.

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A spirited second half forward effort by South Canterbury had New Zealand Army in full retreat, on the way to recording an excellent 39-3 win in their weekend match.

South Canterbury scored six tries in the final 40 minutes, having led 3-0 at the break, which was an impressive effort considering the damp and muddy conditions at Alpine Energy Stadium.

While an expansive game was not on the cards, the forwards' mauling, driving and short passing was terrific as they blew the Army eight apart and demolished them time after time.

The first half was tough going, with the Army putting in a solid effort but they had no answer for the fresh South Canterbury pack.

Four changes at half time gave the green and blacks the momentum, and substitute prop Timaru Tafa was over within a minute of being sent onto the field.

The second came from a superb lineout take by Shannon McRae and a drive by the pack.

Several times the Army stopped them but they gradually made the line, with lock Andrew Scarlett reaching out across players on the ground to score.

Five metres in from touch, Scott Norton nailed the conversion with a very good kick.

With 10 minutes gone in the half, Fainga'a Saviete made it a good day for replacement props as he went over after driving the ball well and Norton again added the extras from a similar position to stretch the lead to 22-3.

Loan player Peter Copeland, who was playing on the blindside, was next to queue up for a try and the pack continued to put the Army to the sword.

With 25 minutes gone, hooker Ben Hewitson scored off a clever planned move off the front of the lineout.

The Army should have scored next, after a rear incursion into the South Canterbury 22 but blew a two-man overlap with a poor pass.

Just on fulltime, South Canterbury had the final say when Saviete scored his second from a `tap-and-go' inside the Army 22m line, when he was driven over, giving all six tries to the forwards.

That didn't mean the backs did not play well.

Halfback Sekope Maea was the perfect link and organised his pack well.

He also varied his options well keeping the opposition guessing.

Norton had a strong game at first five-eighth with some clever tactical kicking and ensuring the ball was in front of his forwards.

Captain Tristran Johnston made a couple of good busts in midfield and defended very well.

Outside him, it was really a day for the backs but Tanu Suavine did get a couple of good runs off Johnston's well timed passes.

It was the forwards' day.

In the first half, No8 Scott McAuley was a standout and into everything while prop Matt Fetu did his best to work the Army front row over before resting the second half.

Lock Andrew Milne had a high work rate and was prominent around the field and again showed he has great ball skills.

He and McRae also impressed in the lineouts as they varied the calls well.

Hewitson had another busy game while Saviete's two tries proved he was in all the action.

Copeland also made a good fist of his 80 minutes while as usual Eric Smith was superb, never far away from the ball.

For the Army side lock Sonny Woodmass and No8 Tom Kerekere were the best of the forwards.

Halfback Dauwie Morgan also impressed with his work rate.