British and Irish Lions notch convincing win over Maori All Blacks

The British and Irish Lions secured an important victory in dominant fashion against a Maori All Blacks squad that was never in contention. Ending 10-32, the Lions scored two tries to the Maori’s one at a packed out Rotorua International Stadium.

The result can be put down to two things – a dominant scrum and a horrendous amount of penalties given away by the Maori All Blacks.

Dubbed ‘the unofficial fourth test’, the Lions came into the game under serious pressure and more than a handful of injury concerns. None of that mattered though, because the Lions played their best game of the tour so far and did it in a fashion that their fans had been clamouring for since arriving in New Zealand.

The Maori were denied possession. Big names like Damian McKenzie, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Charlie Ngatai, and others just didn’t feature in the contest. Too many penalties, poor handling, and a side that wasn’t up for the contest.

That was the start, and end of it for the Maori.

British and Irish Lions notch convincing win over Maori All Blacks

Four lead changes in the First Half saw the two sides battle for control of the scoreboard. Key penalties at the breakdown cost the Maori by handing two easy shots at goal to Leigh Halfpenny – and he converted on four penalties in the First Half – notching all of the Lions points before the break.

The Maori were shut out of the game in many respects – especially in the First Half after they fell behind on possession and territory.

But out wide, the Lions were having problems as George North was caught napping and the Maori punished immediately when Liam Messam scored. The Maori wingers; Nehe Milner-Skudder and Rieko Ioane, also looked considerably faster.

The Lions held a slim 12-10 lead at halftime, but it was by far their best half of rugby on the tour so far.

Torrid ill-discipline costs Maori All Blacks any chance of Victory

The Maori were handed a yellow card as the Second Half began. Tawera Kerr-Barlow was sent to the sin bin for a reckless shoulder tackle on Halfpenny. Replays showed that Kerr-Barlow’s shoulder had made contact with Halfpenny’s face – just on the right check.

But it was about to get even worse for the Maori.

Under a warning from referee Jaco Peyper for consistent penalties inside their own 22 – another cynical penalty resulted in a penalty try. Following the conversion; the Lions were up by 12-points.

When Maro Itoje scored, the Lions didn’t just go two tries in front; they put pay to a dominating scrummaging performance. As the game went on, the Lions forwards just got better and better, to the point where there was absolutely no contest at scrum time.

With less than a week until the First Test – this was the performance the Lions needed. It came in Rotorua.

British and Irish Lions 32

PEN Try, Maro Itoje. Conversions: Halfpenny (2). Penalties: Halfpenny (6)

Maori All Blacks 10

Liam Messam. Conversions: McKenzie (1) Penalties: McKenzie (1)

“Main photo credit”