Maori All Blacks hit back in Rotorua to square series with Fiji
The Maori All Blacks have stayed true to their message. After a disappointing performance in their loss to Fiji in Suva a week ago, they vowed to show an improved effort when they met again in Rotorua this weekend, particularly on the defensive end (writes Christopher Reive for the New Zealand Herald).
This time around, defence was an effective asset to the side as they claimed a 26-17 win to split the two-game series. Tries from Rob Thompson, Alex Nankivell, Sean Wainui and Isaia Walker-Leawere did the damage for the hosts, while Otere Black added nine points off the tee.
There was plenty to like in the Maori All Blacks’ performance, led by a much-improved showing from Black in the No10 jersey. After a disappointing outing in Suva, he turned things around in a big way to guide the side to victory. Black made great decisions all match whether it was exiting his own territory, organising the offence or kicking into space.
He made a number of pin-point kicks to the corners to trap Fiji deep in their own half which the Maori All Blacks were able to capitalise on.
With 11 changes to the side that beat the Maori All Blacks in Suva, Fiji have shown they could be a team to watch come the World Cup later in the year. After playing at full-back last time out, young utility Alivereti Veitokani was again impressive deputising at first five-eighth.
🎥 Go inside the Māori All Blacks sheds with Sean Wainui and Otere Black to get the lowdown following their win over Fiji in Rotorua.
REPORT + HIGHLIGHTS 👉🏽 https://t.co/1H47z3QCFE pic.twitter.com/rXRflbRzgp
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 20, 2019
Despite a couple of handling errors – one which led to the Nankivell try – Veitokani’s speed in the running game was again put to full use while he showed a more than an adequate kicking game to boot. In just his second Test match, the young Fijian will be one to watch going forward.
Fiji opened the scoring through hooker Veremalua Vugakoto, who planted the ball over the line in the corner after an off-load between the legs a teammate. The Maori All Blacks hit back not long after when Sean Wainui was the benefit of an overlap out wide to score his third try in two games.
The sides stayed locked at seven-all heading into the half-time break, but the Maori All Blacks came out firing in the second half.
🎥 REPORT + HIGHLIGHTS | The #MaoriAllBlacks edge @fijirugby in a pulsating clash at Rotorua International Stadium.
👉🏽 https://t.co/1H47z3z1h4#MABvFIJ pic.twitter.com/wN15KgiGaz
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 20, 2019
Thompson pushed the side ahead with a try under the posts just three minutes into the second period, and when his midfield partner Nankivell fell on a loose ball in the in-goal area following a handling error from Veitokani, the match looked close to being sewn up for the hosts as the visitors had only mustered a penalty goal in the second half.
Walker-Leawere pushed the gap to 16 after a strong run saw him cross the chalk, albeit with a hint of a double movement, and with time winding down the M?ori All Blacks didn’t look like being chased down.
Fiji scored a consolation try through Mosese Voka, but they were unable to sweep the series as the Maori All Blacks closed out the win.
Maori All Blacks 26 (Rob Thompson, Alex Nankivell, Sean Wainui, Isaia Walker-Leawere tries; Otere Black 3 cons, pen) Fiji 17 (Mosese Voka, Veremalua Vugakoto tries; Alivereti Veitokani 2 cons, pen)
– New Zealand Herald
WATCH: The compelling RugbyPass documentary Nadolo explores the life and career of Fijian rugby legend Nemani Nadolo
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
45 Go to comments