Pride of the Maori shines through

IT is not the optimum moment to wonder whether there is still a point to Barbarians rugby – the reincarnation of George Kruis as the world’s greatest goalkicker was far from the only memorable aspect of the invitation team’s marmalisation of England – but the question remains a live one.

No-one asks it about the New Zealand Maori, who, on the face of it, are also a “scratch” side with a fixture list best described as occasional. They are altogether a more serious concern, to the extent that they would be potential quarter-finalists at any World Cup.

Only four “senior” All Blacks were named in the starting line-up for last week’s meeting with the touring Irish, two of whom – the outside-half Josh Ioane and the eyecatching No.8 Cullen Grace – had one cap apiece. Ireland? They fielded nine full caps, including such luminaries as Keith Earls and Jordan Larmour.

According to many of the online Carwyn Jameses before kick-off, the Maori would be good, but not good enough. Those people now look like Sid James. Did they not mug up on their history?

Since being comprehensively beaten by England in New Plymouth two decades ago – an England on the brink of a world title and operating at the peak of their powers – the Maori had lost just twice in 29 outings. We can now make that 30.

Teams beaten over that stretch? No one much. Just the 2005 Lions, the 2010 England team who had just squared a series in Wallaby country, all three South Seas nations and, on multiple occasions, Japan.

As a general rule, their rugby is on the thrilling edge of adventurous. As an absolute rule, their pride in the shirt is unshakeable. Long may they thrive.