New Zealand Maori defeat Ireland 31-28
The New Zealand Maori added another victim to their list by defeating Ireland 31-28 on Friday June 18th at Rotorua International Stadium. Ireland was still covering from their 66-28 domination from New Zealand last weekend, they fought in the match all they could but were not able to hold on as Maori defeated them with a slight margin. Wellington wing Hosea Gear and Dwayne Sweeney scored early for the Maori as they move to an early 18-3 lead. The Irish team soon made a comeback when Jonathan Sexton kicked seven shots and the exchange to centre Paddy Wallace. Sexton played brilliantly all evening but in the last minutes missed a crucial kick that could have ended the match in a draw. Sexton, Wallace and skipper Geordan Murphy all improved their claims for a chance in the test against Australia in Brisbane next weekend, whereas the back-row of Rhys Ruddock, Niall Ronan and Chris Henry are yet to choose as they would replace Jamie Heaslip and injured John Muldoon.
Luke McAlister scored in the first minute of the game for Maori. Ireland searched for a reply but was soon stopped by the swiftness and power of the Maori. Fly-half Stephen Brett ended an Irish attack when he ripped the ball out Sexton. Brett challenged the line and as the rival team moved across to break the gaps. Dwayne Sweeney ran through the field to score under the posts. McAlister immediately converted the try before being snatched by Sexton after their first meaningful possession. As it was the opening session of the game the referee gave another penalty to McAlister which he scored in 19th minute of the game. Ireland scrapped hard to make an attack on the Maori defence but was unable to break it, as the defence was destructive and ruthlessly successful. Sexton hit his second penalty of the night and closed Maori lead of 15 points after Sean Maitland raced after Brett’s kick. Ireland came back to life as the half time draw near, enthused mainly by Jonathon Sexton, who scored four back to back penalty goals, leveling the score 18-18 at the end of first half. The New Zealand Maori’s order slipped distressingly under pressure on seeing the Ireland side in action.
As the second half started, it took only a minute for Ireland to score as Wallace fired a short ball to his captain Johne Murphy, who ran quickly through the gap and again sent the ball back to Wallace to score. As tension started to grow on, Maori Sexton again converted from out wide for the goal leading Ireland 25-18. McAlister scored the first goal for his team in the second half as he sensibly took a penalty for a goal and stopped the flow of Irish attacks. The Maoris’ again scored when they got chance for another penalty but was drop down by McAlister, as he pushed his shot wide off the post. Sean Maitland made a try for the New Zealand Maori, as the Canterbury wing broke through the Irish defence and when the support arrived for him to chip; he sent it wide away to Hosea Gear. Gear shot of speed along the side opened up the slightest chance for Hurricanes flanker Lowe to score which he ultimately did. Soon another goal was shot with replacement of fly-half Willie Ripia, who opened the conversion after taking the ball from McAlister.
With just 14 minutes left in the play, Sexton scored his sixth penalty for the match and draws the scores level after an effort by him from half-way. Both the teams tried to find opportunities to score but were unable to surpass the defence line. Maori in the final minutes of the game received the ball when a rash mistake was made by the Irish player Ronan, as he passed a penalty to Ripia who kicked it straight through the goal posts. The Maori in the last minutes went back to defence and held off Irish attacks until the final whistle blew. The New Zealand Maori will now move ahead in their next match against England. They will be looking to dominate Martin Johnson’s side and also put its name in list of upsets, which already included Ireland, Australia, British, Irish Lion and France.
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