Friday 18th June. Rotorua, New Zealand.
The Irish dirt trackers lost out to New Zealand Maori by three points in this exciting match this morning.
The Maori go off to a flying start, cutting through the Irish defence with ease scoring two tries and a penalty to lead 15 – 0 after as many minutes. Ireland hit back with a penalty but things looked ominous when McAlister replied almost immediately with one of his own.
Ireland re-grouped, and with several of the Ulster forwards to the fore, concentrated on playing good basic rugby chipping away at the Maori lead to bring the half time score to 18 – 18 with Jonathan Sexton having a great day with the boot from the tee.
Ireland went into the lead in the second half with a try by Paddy Wallace after good work by Chris Henry and Geordan Murphy and it looked as though the game was there for the taking as the Maori committed a series of mistakes and definitely looked rattled.
However Ireland’s substitutions took the edge of their game and with Hayes, on for the impressive Court, contributing little around the pitch the Maori began to get on top throughout the . . .
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