NZ Maori add Ireland scalp to list

New Zealand Maori added Ireland to their proud list of international rugby scalps at Rotorua International Stadium last night.

But it took a brilliant 65th-minute team try by replacement flanker Karl Lowe, the sure boot of another substitute, Willie Ripia, and some cool heads at the end to pull off the 31-28 victory.

While the home team did their best to self-destruct in the middle stages of this centenary match for Maori rugby, they finished the more clinical team, scoring three tries to one.

The way the Maori jumped out faster than the numbers started peeling off their backs, a runaway looked on the cards early in the first half.

Backs Hosea Gear and Dwayne Sweeney had tries within the first 13 minutes and with Luke McAlister missing only one kick the lead was 15-0 before the Irish got a look-in.

An exchange of penalties in the 17th and 19th minutes to put the scoreline at 18-3 was no indication of what was to follow as the visitors started to get their hands on more ball and began to put an impressive wide-running game together.

It was almost as if the Irish had decided anything the Maori could do they could match or better and. while tries did not result in the half, the Maori discipline crumbled. The result was another five penalty goals to outstanding Leinster first five-eighth Jonathan Sexton and the Maori lucky not to have a player in the sin-bin as the two teams went to halftime with the scores tied 18-18.

When outstanding Ireland attacking fullback and captain Geordan Murphy scythed through the Maori defence down the left flank in the opening minute to set up tidy second-five Paddy Wallace for an impressive try, the Irish suddenly looked as if they had full control of the match.

Sexton's conversion put the visitors out to 25-18 and the Maori looked as if they were not up to the pressure of international rugby after no matches last year.

But McAlister kept them in touch with a 48th-minute penalty and then in the 65th minute their 95m try got them back in front, fullback Robbie Robinson making a quick lineout throw, the ball transferred quickly across the field for right winger Sean Maitland to unleash a brilliant stepping run.

From there the Maori had the numbers and slick handling put Lowe in for his try in the corner.

Replacement five-eighth Ripia converted and when Sexton tied it up again with his eighth successful kick of the game, Ripia replied five minutes later.

Sexton could have won the game for Ireland but inexplicably had his first miss of the game, this time from 33 metres.

NZ Maori 31 (Hosea Gear, Dwayne Sweeney, Karl Lowe tries; Luke McAlister con, 3 pen; Willie Ripia con, pen) Ireland 28 (Paddy Wallace try; Jonathan Sexton 7 pen, con). HT: 18-18

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