All Golds 44
NZ Maori 10
KEY POINTS:
The Kiwis selectors will be happy that players who have been out of the game in recent weeks got a decent hit-out as they dumped the NZ Maori in New Plymouth yesterday, the World Cup hopefuls' game improving markedly in the second half.
The All Golds were extremely rusty at the start, dropped catches, threw forward passes and missed tackles allowing the Maori to stay in it until just after halftime.
The Maori repeatedly threatened and revealed some good, young talent but lacked the finish that comes with experience. But after the Maori failed to convert chances following a start that got their tails up, the big game-hardened professionals wore them down and capitalised on forced errors.
It was like men versus boys from the beginning when the Taranaki league players' haka was followed by the Maori haka led by Wairangi Koopu. Then Ruben Wiki led the All Golds. The last was the fiercest.
The showcase outing did provide the selectors plenty of information as well as a final farewell to heroes Ruben Wiki, Logan Swann and Stacey Jones.
Clearly, the selectors are still considering their options. Jason Nightingale replaced Lance Hohaia at fullback and Warriors hooker Nathan Fien came off the bench at halfback.
Some players proved they are worth their Kiwis places, not least Benji Marshall at five-eighth and Hohaia. Dragons wing Jason Nightingale, a late call-up after Brent Webb withdrew with injury, played well enough to take a first-team spot - he couldn't beat Sam Perrett in attack and Perrett couldn't beat him.
Bench prop Evarn Tuimavave stepped up to provide off-loads. Isaac Luke was clever at hooker.
Jones did not kick for the All Golds, leaving that to Marshall and Hohaia.
All four first-half tries came when the halves created things for the wingers. Manu Vatuvei went over when Marshall was allowed to crab, and the Maori replied when A. J. Taumata ran and chipped through, Shaun Kenny-Dowall first to it.
Then Setaimata Sa touched down a loose ball after opposing wings Nightingale and Krisnan Inu competedfor Hohaia's kick.
Hohaia repeatedly expressed the confidence he has built through a good season at the Warriors and was rewarded when a show-and-go produced a try for 18-6 at halftime.
Rangi Chase gave the Maori an opening as the second half began with a 40/20 kick, but Taumata's pass was forward.
From there, the All Golds ran away. Inu scored off Thomas Leuluai's pass at 49 minutes. Inu put Perrett in with a wide cut-out pass at 53 minutes. Hohaia ran 50m for his second in the 50th minute and Vatuvei took a loose ball to score in the 64th.
Nightingale was awarded the only Maori try of the second half after a strip produced a turnover near the All Golds line. Wiki and Swann then closed the scoring and their run on New Zealand soil.
"I've had a two-month farewell. I've loved every moment," Wiki said. "It's time for the young guys to step up and take over."
For the Maori, 20-year-old Taumata looks a real prospect at halfback and will have the chance to impress the Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney after transferring to the Storm.
But he cannot afford more of the alcohol-fuelled incidents that led to his earlier sackings from Brisbane, the Bulldogs and Roosters.
Gold Coast wing Jordan Rapana, 19, showed flashes of potential but was beaten by experience. Warriors under-20s fullback Kevin Locke, 19, was smart, but the queries about how he'll handle the rigours of NRL given his lack of size were underlined when he left the field nursing a shoulder injury.
Veteran David Kidwell also went off with a shoulder injury. He looks short of the pace required at test level.
All Golds 44: Manu Vatuvei 2, Setaimata Sa, Lance Hohaia 2, Krisnan Inu, Sam Perrett , Ruben Wiki tries; Krisnan Inu 3, Isaac Luke 2, Logan Swann 1 goals
Aotearoa Maori 10: Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jason Nightingale tries; Kevin Locke goal.
Halftime: 18-6
