New Zealand Maori got their Pacific Nations Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 20-9 win over Tonga at Albany Stadium on Saturday.
In a game characterised by heavy tackles and penalty kicks the New Zealanders managed to get the better of their visitors as both teams threw all the weight they possessed at each other.
Fly-half Callum Bruce missed two easy penalty kicks in the first 15 minutes, keeping the Tongans in the game. Bruce did however open the scores after 25 minutes.
The lead wasn't to last however, as Togan first fly-half Fangatapu Apikotoa drew the scores level with a penalty of his own.
The bash and crash play continued until half-time when the teams headed for the changing rooms all square.
It took all of ten minutes of the second half for the Maori to score the first try of their campaign when inside centre Tamati Ellison dotted down with Bruce adding the extra two.
Tongan full-back Sione Mone Tu'ipolotu was yellow-cared in the process of the try for some blatant illegal play right under the referee's nose.
Apikotoa was quick to reply though on the other side of the field, steering another penalty through the uprights to make the score 10-6.
Bruce then took the opportunity to again stretch the lead after he kicked another three-pointer in the 54th minute.
Some ridiculous illegal play in a ruck right inside the Maori 22 then allowed Apikotoa to add another three valuable points through a penalty and take the score to 13-9.
Another yellow card was handed to Tongan centre Epi Taione after he was caught tackling Thomas Waldrom around the head -- an act for which he was subsequently cited.
The try of the match was then scored in the 72nd minute by halfback Piri Weepu after he received an offload from wing Hosea Gear who had busted tackles all the way down the touchline.
Bruce added the two extra points to shut the game down and hand the locals a 20-9 win.
The Scorers:
For NZ Maori:
Tries: Ellison, Weepu
Cons: Bruce 2
Pens: Bruce 2
For Tonga:
Pens: Apikotoa 3
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