NZ M¯aori pushed by brave Brazilian effort
On the strength of this performance we just might see a bit more of Brazil on the international rugby circuit.
In the end the accomplished New Zealand Ma¯ ori side skipped out to a 35-3 victory in their historic clash in Sao Paulo yesterday, but not before they were given a fright from the world’s 26th-ranked rugby nation who trailed just 14-0 at halftime.
Brazil, the world’s most renowned football country, is a minnow in international rugby. But on the strength of a gritty, committed and quite skilful effort in this first clash against the Ma¯ori, they are an emerging force worth keeping an eye on.
The rain that fell throughout this clash at a half-full Esta´ dio do Morumbi probably helped their cause, but the Brazilians showed plenty as they won the scrum contest decisively and proved more than competitive across the board as they limited their celebrated visitors to just five tries, four of which were scored by the forwards.
The Ma¯ori just couldn’t get their trademark ball-in-hand game going in the slippery conditions and were largely frustrated in their attempts to create the continuity rugby they are so adept at.
But the visiting forwards, well led by Ash Dixon, muscled up, and scored three tries from driving mauls off lineouts and another via the pick-and-go attack. Otere Black weighed in with a perfect goalkicking display in the wet and by game end the Maori finally unleashed a back attack to put wing Jonah Lowe across in the corner.
The Ma¯ ori found themselves in an arm-wrestle through a surprisingly competitive first 40 minutes, being held to just two tries, both via the lineout drive route, and a 14-0 advantage.
The win went to the Ma¯ ori; but many of the plaudits to a plucky Brazilian outfit.
At a glance
NZ Ma¯ori 35 (Isaia WalkerLeawere, Ash Dixon 2, Jackson Hemopo, Jonah Lowe tries; Otere Black 5 conversions) Brazil 3 (Josh Reeves pen). HT: 14-0.