NZ Maori 17
Samoa 6
KEY POINTS:
In days past, a clash between the Maori and Samoa would provide the following in profusion: searing breaks and breathtaking ball-running; massive, molecularly restructuring hits; and free scoring that would push the scoreboard close to meltdown.
That was then. These days, the discipline of the professional game and
the continuing horror that is the breakdown and rugby's myriad rules saw this match, laced with errors, struggle to 3-0 after almost half an hour of earnest endeavour.
It said more about the technicians and analysts of rugby than it did about the free-spirited, creative talents of Polynesian players.
But then this isn't carnival rugby; the Maori are a stepping stone to the All Blacks and discipline and accuracy are required in the pattern of things more than any fancy sidestepping.
The Maori had most possession and territory but came up against a stubborn Samoan defence - another legacy of the modern game. It wasn't until first-five Callum Bruce caught out the Samoan rush defence with a deft little grubber - from which he scored - that they began to look like taking advantage of their superiority.
They did so, finally, with a flourish. Excellent Liam Messam made a cut, popped an offload to No 8 Thomas Waldrom and ranging up inside with a fine supporting run was halfback Piri Weepu who scored near the posts.
That took them out to 17-0 with Samoa, willing defence aside, looking strangely lethargic and starved of ball.
If the All Blacks are the next step up from the Maori, the list of those who might take that step at some stage was interesting. Big lock Ross Filipo - who impressed in his short All Black career last year before injury intervened - put himself about and made some big tackles to go with his willing work at the breakdown and in the tight phases. Jason Eaton also got around the park well and is starting to show signs he may be closer to heading back to All Blackdom.
Messam has added a physical edge to his play and his undoubted speed; Weepu still doesn't look like the victim of a milkshake shortage but he is a canny player who knows the angles of a rugby field and the shortest route between points A and B and he did a lot of work.
Centre Tim Bateman, playing one out from his normal second five-eighths position for Canterbury and the Crusaders, also looks an interesting prospect for the future.
He is a glider and a steerer rather than a burster and a runner and his subtle distribution and straight running make him a good foil for others and a good finder of space.
Centre Henry Fa'afili worked hard and No 8 George Stowers was one of the most penetrative runners for Samoa but they were generally easily held by the Maori defence and made too many mistakes under pressure.
The Samoans lost Anitelea Tuilagi to a yellow card for an innocuous-looking late charge on Weepu but the Maori couldn't score with the man advantage and the second half ended with only the addition of two Gavin Williams penalties. It was enough to make you yearn for the old days.
