Ireland v Maori All Blacks

OPINION: The Chiefs winger was excellent against Ireland again despite his yellow card, but his team-mates had a tough night in Wellington.

If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. Ruben Love: Entered the match near the hour-mark and made a wonderful break that set Grace free before receiving the return pass for an outstanding breakaway try. He was caught holding on with the game in the balance and that led to Ireland’s match-clinching score for No 8 Gavin Coomes. Finished with a try from Love’s run for the last act of the night with a classic support line. Caleb Delany: Came on for Prinsep and played about an hour on debut. Maanaki Selby-Rickit: Penalised when the Māori were on the verge of adding to Stevenson’s early try and had a tough night against the flying, physical green jerseys. Cullen Grace: An outstanding lineout steal was almost the catalyst for their second try in the first half when Ireland’s dominance was growing. TJ Perenara: On familiar turf, the Hurricanes halfback gave everything, but the Māori lacked rhythm and struggled for quick movement around the ruck against a ferocious Irish defence. Kicked the ball into touch to wreck a promising attack in the second half. Bailyn Sullivan: Struggled to find space against Ireland’s tighter defence through the middle and made simple errors when the Māori were on the attack. The Chiefs winger has been brilliant in the series despite a disruptive season because of injuries, but he did not finish the match because he was sinbinned for a failed intercept attempt.

12,000 fans packed into the Sky Stadium in Wellington on a wet and windy evening to witness a cracking game. The Maori All Blacks again took an early lead this ...

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Two tries from Jordan Larmour help Andy Farrell's men to victory against Maori selection.

Maori advance to within 10 metres of the line and Ireland concede a penalty. HALF-TIME: Ireland 17 Maori All Blacks 5. But Ireland lose the ball and Maori All Blacks break. 3 mins: TRY FOR MAORI ALL BLACKS! Early knock on from Ireland and free kick to Maori All Blacks after the scrum. 40 mins: Last attack of the half for Maori All Blacks but Niall Scannell steals. FULL TIME: Ireland 30 Maori All Blacks 24. Ireland staying strong though after a slow start. But Maori All Blacks clear to near midfield. But more strong defence by Ireland wins a penalty and relieves the pressure. Ireland in fine fettle and a 12 point lead. 44 mins: TRY FOR MAORI ALL BLACKS. Delany breaks through with a marauding run and TMO review concludes Garden-Bachop was stopped illegally by Larmour with an early tackle. Andy Farrell’s men win in Wellington! Ireland too strong for the Maori All Blacks today with some strong defensive performances.

In stark contrast to their 32-17 defeat in Hamilton two weeks ago, Ireland's second stingers frustrated Clayton McMillan's Māori in Wellington through defensive ...

While reduced to 14 men, Ireland managed to work their way downfield and pepper the Māori line. While both teams claimed four tries, the Māori refusal to kick and determination to run from everywhere in challenging conditions was also exposed at times. This turnaround from Ireland's midweek team represents a major milestone. Anyone in these parts still doubting Ireland's quality or depth will be forced to sharply reconsider. Ireland had success contesting the breakdown, slowing the Māori ball and frustrating veteran halfback TJ Perenara. This gave their defence time to reset and hold firm in the face of regular attacking raids. Handing the Māori just the third defeat from their last 31 internationals speaks to the pride the locals have in their jersey and performance.

It has taken a stretch of years, but Ireland have finally beaten the Maori All Blacks. Our Ireland player ratings feature two back-rows in ripping form.

Started the second half by winning his side a breakdown penalty that made it 20-5. Won his side a breakdown penalty, just outside the Irish 22. Was yellow-carded for not retreating 10 metres on a Maori penalty. In the slick conditions, the ball was a bar of soap. Failed to find touch with a clearing penalty kick, on 13 minutes, and was so fortunate it did not result in a Maori try. Did give away a penalty when his knee dropped, after the hour mark. Ireland weathered the storm well, with Larmour in the sin-bin, and a Gavin Coombes try, with 10 minutes to go, made it 25-12. Was yellow-carded for tackling Garden-Bachop, off the ball, and gave up a penalty try, too. Won his side two penalties at Maori rucks inside the Irish half. That miss meant the Maori side needed two scores to win it. A lightning attack and multiple offloads saw Ruben Love get over for a fine try, but the conversion was missed. Ciarán Frawley converted that score and added a penalty to make it 10-5.