Battling the Lions: Trapper's test

Dave Loveridge scampers across to score. Herald file picture

Very rarely in top rugby, a player will produce a performance which comes so close to perfection the game will become synonymous with his name.

So it was with Dave "Trapper" Loveridge and the All Blacks' 9-0 second test win over the Lions at a frozen Athletic Park in 1983.

Loveridge scored the only try and such was his command at halfback, the match was dubbed Trapper's Test by headline writers.

That accolade just as quickly became part of the lexicon of the game's legends.

Loveridge modestly accepted the avalanche of praise which came his way immediately after the win and, while he reflects on the performance with pride, he still tries to retain his low-key perspective.

"My chief memory of that match was of a complete team effort, particularly by the forwards," he says.

"I also recall the discipline we showed playing into that strong wind in the second spell. Because of that and the edge gained by the pack, Ollie Campbell, the Irish first five-eighths who was a very good kicker, didn't get one shot at goal in the second spell."

Loveridge believes as much credit should have gone to the pack as to him. "They kept it close and as a team we didn't make too many mistakes." All of the eight shared in the triumph but especially outstanding were the front row of hooker and captain Andy Dalton, tighthead prop Gary Knight and loosehead prop John Ashworth.

All three were by then well into their 30s and had been dubbed The Geriatrics by the media.

After a poor display in the first test at Lancaster Park, the Lions started the second match as favourites and were expected to exploit the All Blacks' perceived weakness in the scrum.

But the All Blacks' forward superiority was so pronounced the Lions suffered defeat and a psychological blow from which they did not recover, going on to crash to a 4-0 series defeat.

Loveridge said it was understandable the Lions were favourites for Athletic Park as the All Blacks had been very disappointing in the first test and had been lucky to win.

"It was very difficult in those days, especially for a first test of a series at home," he says. "We assembled late on the Wednesday and really had only two days to prepare. There was always a certain rustiness." The bitterly cold wind and conditions at Athletic Park may well have suited the All Blacks, for it meant a tight game plan.

Loveridge said his try required little out of the ordinary.

"It was one of those which come your way when you get plenty of space," he says. "The Lions had been exposed by a series of strong drives and quick rucks down either side of the field.

"Finally they just ran out of defenders and I had a pretty easy run to the line, even though I may have tripped slightly on the way." Loveridge says the match gave him immense satisfaction but he has always left the assessment of his performance to the sideline critics.

Most agree it was an all round display which has entitled Loveridge to be rated among the greatest All Black halfbacks.

He had demonstrated all of the arts of the position, passing almost as well as Chris Laidlaw, running almost as well as Sid Going and kicking to the box almost as well as Des Connor.

That package of skills was complemented by precise decision making.

Loveridge has no doubt the 1983 series was the high point of his career, even though he remained an All Black until 1985 and went on the Cavaliers tour of South Africa in 1986. But he suffered a serious knee injury at the start of the 1984 season and agrees that he was never quite the same player afterwards.

"I was getting on a bit and I don't think age was on my side in the recovery process." A stalwart of Taranaki representative sides, Loveridge at the start of this year sold his pig farm on Rugby Rd near Inglewood. He and his wife Janine now live in Wellington where he works as a fulltime coach, having charge of the Old Boys-University side in the Wellington club competition.

All Blacks 9
Dave Loveridge try, Allan Hewson conversion, penalty.
Lions 0
Half-time 9-0