New Zealand Maori rallied from 26-10 down at halftime, scoring 17 unanswered points in the second half, to beat Fiji 27-26 in a one-off rugby international yesterday.
Fiji seemed on course for their first win against the Maori All Blacks in 19 meetings over the past 58 years, but flanker Elliot Dixon’s try in the 71st minute completed the Maori’s comeback, lifting them to a one-point lead they were able to defend to the final whistle.
Tries for Kini Murimurivalu, Nadolo and captain Akapusi Qera lifted Fiji to a 26-10 lead at halftime. Fiji pinned the Maori team inside their territory for most of the first half, and profited with three tries and Nadolo’s three penalties.
BROTHERS
New Zealand Maori hit back with a try by Reiko Ioane, on debut, and a penalty and conversion by Marty McKenzie who, with Damien McKenzie, was one of four sets of brothers in the Maori lineup.
The home side did not recover from the loss of star winger Nemani Nadolo to injury just before halftime, after he had scored a try and kicked three penalties to contribute 14 points.
Fiji’s lineout also malfunctioned in the second half, and a series of handling and defensive errors contributed to their defeat.
The Maori steadily cut into Fiji’s lead through the second half with tries by Damien McKenzie, then Dixon while Otere Black’s conversion of Dixon’s try gave them their first lead.
‘TRAPPED’
“They trapped us in our half in that first spell and we were not able to get out,” said Maori captain Charlie Ngatai, who played for the All Blacks against Samoa in a Test match in Apia on Wednesday.
“In the second half, we were able to exit better, get the ball down their half, build phases and hang onto the ball,” he added.
Fiji captain Qera was disappointed to see an historic win elude his team.
“In the first half, we had them in the bag, but we lost concentration in the second half and we managed to give away the game,” Qera said.
Fiji are scheduled to play Tonga next weekend in the opening match of the Pacific Nations Cup, while the New Zealand Maori are to play a Barbarians selection in Auckland, New Zealand.
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