Ma¯ori All Blacks misfire in mediocre win over minnows

While many predicted a mighty win by the Ma¯ori All Blacks over the Brazilian Tupis, the New Zealand side put up a far from convincing performance yesterday.

Claiming the historic clash 35-3 at Sao Paulo’s iconic Cicero Pompeu De Toledo stadium, it was clear the Ma¯ori All Blacks were unprepared for the South Americans’ determined and unconventional play.

The tactically poor and inaccurate performance was a stark contrast to last weekend’s 59-22 victory over the USA Eagles.

An early try within the first three minutes by Isaia Walker-Leawere looked to set the pace for New Zealand but the home side quickly proved their strength.

Successfully stopping the Ma¯ori All Blacks from scoring again until late in the first half — even with Brazil hooker Wilton Rebolo in the sin bin with a yellow card — Brazil put the pressure on the visitors.

The Ma¯ori All Blacks needed to step up in the second half but instead of the touring side significantly stretching their lead in true New Zealand rugby fashion, it was Brazil that stood up to the challenge.

Opening with a surprisingly im- pressive scrum, the home team got the best of their rivals — to the delight of 30,000 ecstatic Tupis fans — before Christchurch-born Brazilian first-five Joshua Reeves put his side on the board with a successful penalty kick.

Picking up their scoring pace in the late stages, the Maori All Blacks pulled away, with Otere Black converting the final try to round out a decent kicking performance considering the testing weather conditions.

However, it was too little too late to distinguish their second win of the tour as anything special.

The touring side head to Santiago for what will be a history-making first match against Chile in their final match of the South American tour.

35 (Isaia WalkerLeawere, Ash Dixon 2, Jackson Hemopo, Jonah Lowe tries; Otere Black 5 cons).

3 (Joshua Reeves pen).