NZ Maori run in 11 tries against US

5.10pm

Three converted tries in a seven-minute period allowed New Zealand Maori to pull away for a crushing victory over the United States in the Churchill Cup rugby tournament in Calgary, Canada today.

They ran in 11 tries, including three from flanker Warren Smith and two each from midfield backs Justin Wilson and Ryan Nicholas, to five in the 69-31 victory after leading just 29-21 at halftime.

In a back-and-forth first half, the Maori ran in five tries while the Eagles countered with three and two penalty goals.

Nicholas' second five-pointer had given them the eight-point cushion by halftime.

The heavily favoured Maori rang up six more tries in the second half. Their 21 points from the 57th to the 64th minutes enabled them to draw away from the Americans.

Playing in his first international, openside flanker Tony Petruzzella scored the game's opening try, finishing a pick-and-blast forward movement previously done by No 8 Dave Hodges and prop Jacob Waasdorp.

The Maori struck back swiftly through tries by fullback Adrian Cashmore, Wilson, and Warren Smith in the 10th, 13th and 18th minutes respectively.

First five-eighth Glen Jackson converted just one of the tries but the Maori were on the road to victory with a 19-5 lead.

Wings Jovesa Naivalu and David Fee scored for the US after first five-eighth Mike Hercus chipped ahead on both occasions.

Nicholas scored his two tries around penalty goals by Hercus and it was obvious the Americans were running out of gas.

They fell off the pace and attempted tackles and the Maori team seized their opportunities.

The US overthrew in their lineout and conceded a seven-pointer.

Four minutes later another turnover enabled the Maori to stretch their lead to 41-21.

Then Caleb Ralph, Hoani MacDonald and Wilson scored in quick succession to make it 62-21.

They scored another try after stealing possession from a scrum.

New Zealand Maori 69 (Warren Smith 3, Justin Wilson 2, Ryan Nicholas 2, Adrian Cashmore, Caleb Ralph, Hoani MacDonald, Jake Parangatai tries; Glen Jackson 7 con)

United States 31 (David Fee 2, Tony Petruzzell, Jose Naivalu, Albert Tuipulotu tries; Mike Hercus 2 pen).

Halftime: 29-21.

New Zealand Maori: Adrian Cashmore, Hosea Gear, Justin Wilson, Ryan Nicholas, Caleb Ralph, Glen Jackson, Billy Fulton, Wayne Ormond, Wayne McEntee, Warren Smith, Bryce Williams, Sean Hohneck, Joe McDonnell, Corey Flynn, Greg Feek

- NZPA