NZ Maori steal late win against Fiji
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After trailing in the opening half, the Maori All Blacks came back to defeat an impressive Fijian team 27-26 at ANZ Stadium in Suva.
It was the side’s 305th victory in their 437th match against all opposition, and 20th victory against Fiji in 29 clashes against the Pacific Islanders.
The Maori All Blacks began pre-match proceedings with their traditional Haka, which was followed within seconds by the Fijian Cibi Tau.
The healthy crowd in Suva began to hum with the challenges of both teams being laid down – one had the feeling that wet and blustery conditions were not going to effect the ebb and flow of this one.
As it was between the World Champions and Samoa earlier this week, the Fijians came out with some serious intent, and Kini Murimurivalu gave the hosts the ideal start when, despite the efforts of Damian McKenzie, opened the scoring in the corner.
A few minutes of uncertainty from the Maori All Blacks was put aside as they eased into proceedings and managed to put hands on the ball, but despite this could not penetrate a rushing Fijian defence.
Fiji then counterattacked and poor discipline from the tourists allowed Nemani Nadolo to successfully strike over his first kick of the afternoon making it 8-0 after 14 minutes.
The men in black were struggling to put together meaningful attack, but Marty McKenzie managed to get his team on the board at the end of the first quarter with a penalty.
Minutes later Nadolo replied with his second three-points, before the Maori All Blacks stirred into action.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Rieko Ioane combined off a strong scrum, and the strapping Auckland Sevens star would score under the posts.
The good work was somewhat undone when Blade Thomson was sent to the bin after repeated warnings to the visitors regarding their breakdown infringements.
Nadolo would then punish the visitors with a penalty, and moments later would scream towards the left corner to cross for a try and suddenly the Maori All Blacks began to exchange some nervous glances – not surprising considering their were nine new caps in the matchday 23.
Fijian captain Akapusi Qera would then add the exclamation mark and burst through some unwilling defence, and at half-time the hosts were in complete control with a 26-10 lead as the teams went to the sheds.
McKenzie would open the second stanza with a penalty, but it was obvious that the loose patterns of the Fijians and aggressive defence was not allowing the Maori All Blacks to string together any penetrating attack.
The McKenzie brothers then simulated a training run straight from their backyard, with Marty feeding a lovely inside cut to Damian allowing the outside back to keep his side in the match.
At this stage the feeling was becoming obvious, and the teams were issued a formal warning to stick to the rules and keep the pushing and shoving off the ball out of the game.
As the match entered the final quarter, the flow of the contest lost some shape as both coaches brought players into the game off the bench, but the straight hard running of the Maori All Blacks hinted at something to come.
And they didn’t disappoint, with Elliot Dixon scoring a typically abrasive try, and the extras from Otere Black would give the away team their first lead of the game.
With less than ten minutes remaining both outfits went up several gears, but after ruling the second-half with a 17-0 display, the New Zealanders closed out the contest winning 27-26.
The scorers:
For Fiji:
Tries: Murimurivalu, Nadolo, Qera
Con: Matavesi
Pen: Nadolo 3
For Maori All Blacks:
Tries: R Ioane, D McKenzie, Dixon
Con: M McKenzie 2, Black
Pen: M McKenzie 2
Teams:
Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Benito Masilevu, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Gabby Lovobalavu, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Josh Matavesi, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Akapusi Qera (captain), 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Api Ratuniyarawa, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Villiame Veikoso, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Isei Calati, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Masi Matadigo, 21 Niko Matawalu, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Napolioni Nalaga.
Maori All Blacks: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Rieko Ioane, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Charlie Ngatai (captain), 11 Kurt Baker, 10 Marty McKenzie, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Mitchell Crosswell, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Jacob Skeen, 3 Ben May, 2 Ash Dixon, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Brendon Edmonds, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Otere Black, 23 Jason Emery.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Rohan Hoffman (Australia)
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