The Lions came out victorious in the ‘unofficial’ fourth test in Rotorua against the Maori All Blacks, 32-10, the biggest score line against this opposition.
Four penalties from Leigh Halfpenny took the Lions in at half time with a two point advantage. The vast majority of the game was played in the Maori half, which suggests that the Lions should have been further ahead. Line breaks have been a figurehead of the Lions play with Jonny Sexton and Jonathan Davies making crucial breaks but were unable to turn the chances into tries. Given the way the All Blacks played in their warm up game on Friday against Samoa, they too had similar chances to that of the Lions, the difference however their chances did result in tries. Another suggestion of a lack of precision where scoring tries is concerned.
A thoroughly professional second half performance from the Lions as they kept the Maoris scoreless as well as scoring 20 points. The 47th minute proved a pivotal moment with Tawera Kerr Barlow was sin binned for foul play. Scores came through a penalty try and a pick up and drive try from Maro Itoje whilst Kerr Barlow was off the field to stretch the lead to 29-10, making the result beyond doubt. A final penalty capped off a faultless kicking display from Halfpenny as he kicked seven from seven notching up 20 points.
The question about the discipline for the Lions was answered as they only conceded four penalties in the whole game. The kiwi interpretation of the laws is debatable as they were making repeated infringements which in the northern hemisphere would have resulted in a yellow card. It is clear that the kiwis do not respond well to being put on the back foot, as the game went out of reach, they started to throw in a few cheap shots off the ball.
Warren Gatland’s strategy of trying to refrain from playing his test players during the remaining midweek games may prove to be a shrewd one, as the All Black tests will require all 23 of the squad to be in peak condition and more to go three rounds of 80 minutes with the ferocity of the All Blacks.
