Rugby: Attrition rate high in Auckland club opener

There was almost an eerie feel to the opening of the Auckland club rugby season, especially at sun-drenched Colin Maiden Park where home side University met Suburbs.

Just a hundred metres from the rugby ground, Auckland and Central Districts were locked in an absorbing Shell Trophy cricket match and in even closer proximity were two lower-grade club cricket encounters.

If a strip had been mown on the rock-hard rugby ground, cricket could have been played there as well.

The outcome of playing rugby on it was a high attrition rate, with Suburbs, the 21-16 victors, having eight players sidelined with injuries and coach Bruce Birtwistle lamenting the hard turf.

University suffered no less and both coaches will be digging deep into their reserves to field competitive sides next weekend.

Suburbs given first use of the brisk breeze made the most of it and ran in a smart try by promising openside flanker Adam Van Leeuwen.

Had skipper and goal-kicker Therri Rahui kicked his frequent penalty opportunities more accurately the halftime score of 14-3 might have been a good deal more.

Early in the second half the Suburbs pack attacked as a unit and put their other flanker, Norman Asaua, in under the bar.

Blue reserve halfback Ben Meyer began to work the moves for University and they came back strongly with a converted try by fullback Brent Ward.

The students should have scored again but the Suburbs defence was well organised.

University's only reward for their long sojourn on the westerners' line were a brace of Campbell Hughes penalties.

There were celebrations of a high order around the Mt Wellington headquarters of Tamaki, the newcomers to the premier one grade, after they downed Marist, 11-10.

And Grammar Carlton caused an upset when they scored two tries to one in beating Gallaher Shield holders Teachers Eastern.

Ponsonby fullback Gavin Williams kicked a penalty in the dying seconds against Otahuhu and won the game 18-17.

In the western local derby, Waitakere City player-coach Tu Nu'uali'itia controlled the game from halfback against Waitemata with all of the skills he once brought representing both Auckland and Manu Samoa.

His experience helped to steer Waitakere City to a 39-25 win.