BO Abra and his Australian Schoolboys team-mates may not have been able to spring an upset over New Zealand in their trans-Tasman match on Saturday, but the Saint Stanislaus’ College product did help set up a try.
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It was Australia’s only try of the match at TG Milner Field, the Kiwis notching up a fifth consecutive win over their fierce rivals with a 34-11 scoreline.
Playing his second game in the green and gold of the Australian side after coming off the bench against Fiji, Abra was twice involved in a 50th minute passage of play which led to tight head prop Darcy Breen scoring.
After flanker Tom Kibble had made the initial line break, Abra arrived in support and carried the ball deeper into New Zealand’s territory.
He then backed up as acting scrumhalf following another phase and sent the ball left. Three passes later Breen was over.
That got the Australians within reach of the Kiwis at 17-11, but soon after Kibble was yellow carded for a high tackle.
The visitors exploited the one-man advantage and ran away with the game, but Australian coach Pat Langtry still praised the effort of his players.
“I’m very proud of the way that our lads played. They backed themselves, played with conviction and really took it to New Zealand,” he said.
“We just needed to finish off some of our opportunities to create more pressure on the scoreboard.
“The whole squad has taken a lot from this experience and hopefully will assist them in their rugby journey for the years ahead.”
