NZ Maori clinch the Churchill Cup
New Zealanders romp to victory in Canada
Scotland 'A' were overwhelmed by a dazzling try-scoring display as the New Zealand Maori regained the Churchill Cup in Edmonton on Saturday.
The Maori, who could not defend their title last year because they were otherwise engaged beating the British & Irish Lions in Hamilton, ran in seven tries to Scottish scores from prop Alasdair Dickinson and replacement wing Nikki Walker.
Scotland can still reflect on an encouraging tournament that yielded victories over the England Saxons and Canada inside four days, but they could not match the power, off-loading or finishing prowess of the unstoppable Maori.
The Maori's victory confirmed a southern hemisphere rugby whitewash this weekend, coming after New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina had completed Test victories over Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.
And the Maori did it without captain Jonno Gibbes who pulled his hamstring just before kick-off in the pre-match warm-up. Thomas Waldrom was promoted from the bench and made a swift impact.
Scotland knew they had to keep possession after watching Ireland punished for their turnovers in the Maori's pool victory in San Francisco last weekend.
They did it well, keeping things tight to build pressure – but there was little Ross Beattie could do when he was hit with a shuddering tackle from Kristian Ormsby and the ball spilled loose.
Maori hooker Scott Linklater led the charge downfield and fed the ball inside to number eight Liam Messam who delayed his pass perfectly for Waldron to power over the line.
It was a classic Maori sucker punch but it was not enough to floor the Scots, who are in confident mood after victories over the England Saxons and Canada and refreshed by a 10-day break.
They continued to build the phases, keeping the Maori under the cosh in their own 22, and the pressure paid off when Edinburgh prop Alasdair Dickinson was driven over the line. It was the first try the Maori have conceded all tournament.
The Scots, for all their endeavour, blew too many first-half chances. With the Maori stretched, Scotland had numbers right but scrum-half and captain Rory Lawson looked left first and the chance was gone.
The Maori, on the other hand, were clinical and explosive, attacking from deep and finishing with spectacular style.
Powerful winger Hosea Gear burst through one tackle and then, just before he was bundled into touch, slipped a magnificent offload inside to the supporting prop Joe McDonnell for the second Maori try.
That brilliance was soon matched by scrum-half Chris Smylie who burst into the Scotland half from the base of a scrum and flicked a pass behind his back to Shannon Paku with the 60-metre try finished off by Messam.
Scotland fly-half Calum MaCrae, having missed one penalty shot, reduced the half-time arrears to 24-10 but the Maori streaked clear after the interval.
Bruce landed two more penalties before Paul Tito picked off a perfect long pass from Bruce and sent Waldrom over under the posts for his second score of the afternoon.
Richard Kahui touched down for the Maori's fifth try after Ormsby had brushed aside two Scottish tacklers, and the Waikato lock then registered one for himself after expert offloads from Tito and replacement Pehi Te Whare.
Nikki Walker streaked over in the corner for Scotland's second score eight minutes from time, but the Maori simply responded in kind with Anthony Tahana finishing off good work from Paku.
The scorers:
For NZ Maori:
Tries: Waldrom 2, McDonnell, Messim, Kahui, Ormsby, Paku
Cons: Callum 4
Pens: Callum 3
Scotland 'A':
Tries: Dickinson, Walker
Cons: MacRae 2
Pen: MacRae
The teams:
NZ Maori: 15 Shannon Paku, 14 Anthony Tahana, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Neil Brew, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Callum Bruce, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Jono Gibbes (captain), 5 Paul Tito, 4 Kristian Ormsby, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Scott Linklater, 1 Joe McDonnell.
Replacements: 16 Luke Mahoney, 17 Mike Noble, 18 Thomas Waldrom, 19 Jake Paringatai, 20 Corey Tamou, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Pehi Te Whare.
Scotland 'A': 15 Calum MacRae, 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Graeme Morrison, 12 Matt Dey, 11 Rory Lamont, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Rory Lawson (captain), 8 David Callam, 7 Alasdair Strokosch, 6 Ross Beattie, 5 Mark Rennie, 4 Craig Hamilton, 3 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Fergus Thomson, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements from: Colin Noon, Tommy McGee, Andy Hall, Scott Gray, Andrew Kelly, Andy Miller, Nick De Luca, Nikki Walker, Colin Gregor.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Touch judges: Olan Trevor (Ireland), Phil Smith (Canada)
