NZ Maori create history in Hamilton

Leon MacDonald pushes past British and Irish Lions Gordon D'Arcy to score his try. Picture / Fotopress

NZ Maori 19 Lions 13

They've been seeking their first win over the British Isles for 75 years, and tonight they finally achieved it.

A spirited and determined New Zealand Maori side tonight defeated a gallant British and Irish Lions team by 19 points to 13, in front of a packed house at a chilly Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

After coming close on each and every occasion the two sides have met down the years, on this frosty Waikato night Jono Gibbes' men did enough to notch a first – and hard-won – victory over the touring side.

From the time their stirring haka sent a ferocious challenge to the Lions, and shivers down the spine of all onlookers, it seemed that this was indeed a night of destiny for the Matt Te Pou-coached team in black.

Points were hard to come by in the first half of the match, and at the break the score was just 6-all, two penalties apiece.

The Lions management had expressed a few niggles about the refereeing during the week, and indeed it didn't take long for the first stoush to develop.

It came at scrum time – a few harmless punches thrown – and it signalled the start of a hotly contested first half between the two front rows.

The aggression culminated in the sinbinning of Lions prop Andy Sheridan just before the interval, for throwing a punch.

For the Maori, halfback Piri Weepu was in good touch, his distribution to the backs top notch despite the bad ball he often received. For the other side, scrum half Matt Dawson staked a claim for a test jumper with some moments of inspiration, too.

In the forwards Marty Holah seemed to get the better of his much-vaunted counterpart, Martin Williams of Wales. Holah was frequently first to the breakdown.

In the Lions pack, lock Simon Shaw stood out, and was responsible for much of the lineout ball they gained. In the second half, however, he was outshone by Maori jumper Sean Hohneck.

The cold dewy night was responsible for a lot of dropped ball on both sides.

But in the end it was just the two penalties apiece – by David Hill for the Maori and Stephen Jones for the Lions – to put the two sides locked at halftime.

Referee Steve Walsh had his hands full in a scrappy encounter up front. The penalty count, which favoured the tourists early, swung around in the Maori's favour in the second spell. The Lions forwards wre never short of a word or three of advice in Walsh's ear, but he kept control of the situation.

Nonetheless, few would be surprised if Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward doesn't have more to say about refereeing, in the wake of tonight's intense and fiery match.

In the second half, Carlos Spencer made an appearance at first five-eighths, to say farewell to New Zealand rugby fans in the best way possible – on a winning side. The crowd got to see some of his trademark kicks and grubbers, many of which put the opposition under extreme pressure.

With David Hill gone, Luke McAlister took over the kicking duties, with plenty of success. The youngster isn't long out of Westlake Boys High School on Auckland's North Shore, but at times his canny boot showed a maturity beyond his years.

Leon MacDonald showed his All Black class time and time again, while the star-studded Maori backline which included Rico Gear, Rua Tipoki and Caleb Ralph were always a handful for the scrambling Lions defence.

However, there was one hero who stood out from the rest in the Maori jersey tonight, and that was captain Gibbes.

In the final moments, as the Lions threw everything at the Maori to try and keep their unbeaten tour record alive, it was Gibbes who put his body on the line and snatched some decisive line-out ball to deny the visitors.

By the fulltime siren he looked a battered and bruised man – but his smile told the whole story.

The Lions had hoped to make a statement in this match, by fielding a very strong side. In the end, it was the Maori who wanted it more, and who pulled off an exhilarating and historic win.

Scoring

NZ Maori: Leon MacDonald try; David Hill, 2 pen; Luke McAlister, 2 pen, 1 conv.

Lions: Brian O'Driscoll try; Stephen Jones 2 pen, 1 conv.