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Tough workout Wallabies beat Maori, 41-29, in crucial warmup
Updated: Saturday June 09, 2001 8:03 AM
SYDNEY (Reuters) -- Australia beat New Zealand Maori 41-29 on Saturday in a full-blooded warm-up for its upcoming series against the British and Irish Lions. The world champion outscored the Maori, who had not lost a single match in seven years, five tries to two but did not seal victory until replacement winger Graeme Bond went over to score right on fulltime. Daniel Herbert, Andrew Walker, Nick Stiles and Stephen Larkham also contributed tries for the Wallabies while both Maori tries came from Carlos Spencer. The Wallabies looked to have the match under control when Larkham intercepted a loose pass from replacement David Hill and sprinted half the length of the field to score untouched and give his side a 31-19 lead with 15 minutes to go. But the Maori pulled back to within two points with less than five minutes to go with Spencer's try and two penalties from Hill. Matthew Burke extended Australia's lead to five with a late penalty before Bond scored under the posts with the final play of the match to seal Australia's first win over the Maori since 1958. If the Wallabies were hoping for an easy start to their international program this year, they were to be sadly disappointed by a Maori side clearly intent on adding the world champion to their list of victims. The Australians were rusty early on and lucky not to be further than 3-0 behind after 15 minutes as the Maori dominated the early exchanges. But the Wallabies soon found their rhythm and went in front when outside center Daniel Herbert sidestepped his way over for the first try. Australia almost scored again a few minutes later but the final pass went to ground and the Maori swooped on the ball and raced 80 meters upfield for flanker Troy Flavell to dive over. But the try was disallowed when centre Caleb Ralph was reported by the touch judge for a late shoulder charge on Larkham. Ralph was sin-binned and the Australians made him pay for his indiscretion when Walker went past four defenders to score a wonderful solo try. Glen Jackson added a third penalty and Spencer scored in the right hand corner before prop Nick Stiles barged his way over to give Australia a 21-16 lead at the break. A Jackson penalty shortly after the re-start cut the deficit to two points, but Australia surged ahead with a penalty by Elton Flatley and Larkham's try before the Maori stormed back. Australia was using the match as its only warm-up for the three test series against the Lions which kicks off in Brisbane on June 30.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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