Improved Maori All Blacks beat Fiji in Rotorua

The Maori All Blacks bounced back from last week's loss to Fiji by beating the same opposition 26-17 in Rotorua to level the two-game series.

Scores from Sean Wainui, Rob Thompson, Alex Nankivell and Isaia Walker-Leawere saw them to victory, with Otere Black slotting six points.

In reply the Fijians scored tries through Veremalua Vugakoto and John Dyer while Alivereti Veitokani sent over two conversions and a penalty.

The teams went into the break locked at seven points apiece after a tight first half, with the Maori All Blacks much improved from last week.

Fiji would take the lead, however, on nine minutes when a superb between-the-legs pass from back-row Dominiko Waqaniburotu put hooker Vugakoto over on the left.  With the successful conversion from Veitokani, John McKee's men had themselves a handy early advantage.

That lead did not last long though as the hosts hit back five minutes later, Wainui adding to his two tries in Suva with another crossing.  It came from a good pass from inside centre Nankivell as pressure on the Fijian finally told, with his Chiefs team-mate going over to make it 7-7.

Veitokani would miss a penalty attempt on 31 minutes but an entertaining first half of action was edged by the Maori All Blacks in Rotorua.

They got the vital opening score of the second half when Thompson crossed thanks to an excellent pass from scrum-half Bryn Hall for 14-7.

Veitokani did respond off the tee on 52 minutes to cut the gap to four points, which was how it stayed until the hour mark, before Nankivell collected a cross-field kick from Black that had come loose.  Black could not slot the difficult extras but the hosts were two scores clear.

That advantage grew when Walker-Leawere, who had replaced the injured Pari Pari Parkinson earlier in the second period, made it 26-10 after he went over for a converted try on 64 minutes that seemed to put the match beyond doubt in front of the watching 13,000 fans.

Fiji did rally late on with a try from substitute Dyer after an impressive scrum near to the whitewash, which made it 26-17 with just four minutes left in the game.  But the Maori All Blacks had enough of a cushion to see out the game and make it a tied series with the Fijians.

The scorers:

For Maori All Blacks:
Tries:  Wainui, Thompson, Nankivell, Walker-Leawere
Cons:  Black 3

For Fiji:
Tries:  Vugakoto, Dyer
Cons:  Veitokani 2
Pen:  Veitokani

Maori All Blacks:  15 Shaun Stevenson, 14 Jordan Hyland, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Sean Wainui, 10 Otere Black, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Mitch Karpik, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Pari Pari Parkinson, 4 Tom Franklin, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Ash Dixon (c), 1 Ross Wright
Replacements:  16 Nathan Harris, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Teihorangi Walden

Fiji:  15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Patrick Osbourne, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Filipo Nakosi, 10 Alivereti Veitokani, 9 Henry Seniloli, 8 Nemani Nagusa, 7 Mosese Voka, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 4 Tevita Ratuva, 3 Lee-Roy Atalifo 2 Veremalua Vugakoto, 1 Campese Ma’afu
Replacements:  16 Samuel Matavesi, 17 Joeli Veitayaki, 18 Luke Tagi, 19 Albert Tuisue, 20 John Dyer, 21 Serupepeli Vularika, 22 Sevanaia Galala, 23 Josh Matavesi

Referee:  Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees:  Damon Murphy (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO:  James Leckie (Australia)