Ma¯ori All Blacks seal sweep over Samoa in style

Clayton McMillan’s side continued their dominance over the Pacific Islanders at Mt Smart Stadium last night. Marc Hinton reports

Job done. Clayton McMillan’s Ma¯ori All Blacks marked their 125th international appearance, and Otere Black’s farewell, by completing a clinical sweep of a gallant, but outmatched Manu Samoa side, at Mount Smart Stadium.

Opening an historic Pasifikathemed double-header at the home of the Warriors yesterday, the Ma¯ori worked their usual mixture of forward grunt and backline enterprise to go two from two against the Samoans with a 38-21, six tries to three, victory.

Backing up from last weekend’s convincing success over the same opponents in Wellington, this was another top-drawer effort from a side that continues to grace the international stage with aplomb — their 12th win from as many matches against the Samoans.

It was, though, not quite the farewell long-serving first-five Black would have wanted as the Japan-bound Blues and Manawatu playmaker was forced to limp off early in the second spell with a knee injury.

Never mind – his team did him proud. Ash Dixon led a strong effort up front, as he does, all three Ma¯ori locks contributed strongly, both at set piece and around the park, and Reed

Prinsep and Whetukamokamo Douglas were industrious in the loose.

Midfielder Alex Nankivell was possibly the best of a busy Ma¯ ori backline, closely followed by wing Sean Wainui. Both ran for big metres. Jonah Lowe enjoyed the night, with a brace of tries, while there was plenty to like about the all-round play of Josh Ioane, first at fullback and then first-five.

Manu Samoa brought plenty to the occasion and look to be playing their way into some form ahead of their looming World Cup series against Tonga. Loose forward Henry Time Stowers was the standout up front for the men in blue, though big replacement prop Kalolo Tuiloma looks a handy sort too. Fullback Tomasi Alosio and wing Neria Fomai showed their class in the backs, as did Rodney Iona in the playmaker role.

It was not exactly a rampant Ma¯ ori side in the first 40, but they built the pressure nicely to run in

HT:

Manu Samoa 21