A late second-half try from former All Blacks lock Jason Eaton earned New Zealand Maori a crucial 11-7 victory over Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup rugby competition in Lautoka, Fiji, on Saturday.
Trailing 3-7 at halftime following a converted try to Fiji's South African-based centre Sireli Naqelevuki, the Maori side came back to snatch a win on a water-logged Churchill Park.
The match was in danger of being called off after ankle-deep water covered the ground following a torrential downpour.
But ground officials assured the match officials that the water would drain off quickly, and it did soon after kickoff.
However, it made playing conditions difficult for two teams more accustomed to running rugby and it was evident from the stop-start affair that neither side had planned for a wet-weather game.
Although co-captain and second five-eighth Tamati Ellison gave New Zealand Maori the lead with a 12th-minute penalty goal, the Fijians adapted to the conditions quicker and dominated the first half.
Taniela Rawaqa missed two shots at goal from handy positions and two strong runs from Naqelevuki, who played for the Stormers in the Super 14, took the game close to the Maori side's line.
Naqelevuki then charged down Maori half-back Chris Smylie's clearing kick and pounced on the loose ball for the only first-half try. Rawaqa converted and Fiji led 7-3 at halftime.
New Zealand Maori appeared to settle better when Eaton's Hurricanes teammate Piri Weepu took the field at halfback in the second half.
His options helped his team gain vital ground in the atrocious conditions.
New Zealand Maori edged in front when Eaton was driven over the tryline from a lineout close to the line.
That gave them an 8-7 lead, which replacement back Callum Bruce stretched with a penalty goal five minutes from full-time.
Both teams had come into the game with a win each, New Zealand beating over Tonga 20-9 and Fiji beating Samoa 34-17 in the first round last weekend.
The scorers:
For Fiji:
Try: Naqelevuki
Con: Rawaqa
For NZ Maori:
Try: Eaton
Pens: Ellison, Bruce
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