All Golds v NZ Maori

[Sabu_2008]

Was played yesterday at Yarrow Standium in Taranaki. Decent game, plenty of pace, breaks and innovative passing, as you'd expect. All Golds cruised home in the end, though the first half was fairly even. Would liek to see this game become a regular, with some guideline on selection for the All Golds put in place.

Here's a breakdown of the game from the Warriors website:

Ruben Wiki had a final New Zealand send-off to savour as the All Golds beat the New Zealand Maori 44-10 at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth today (Sunday).

Wiki’s last match in New Zealand, and possibly his last anywhere after 16 seasons at first-grade level, also served to belatedly farewell legendary Kiwi halfback Stacey Jones at home as well as long-time former international Logan Swann and veteran Vodafone Warrior Wairangi Koopu.

For Wiki, today’s salute by the New Zealand Rugby League rounded off a series of matches that had a goodbye theme at the tail end of the Vodafone Warriors’ successful NRL campaign.

But none had quite the finish that this one provided – and it was his team-mate Swann who was a key contributor.
It came after the final siren when a would-be Maori try to 2007 Kiwi Chase Stanley was rubbed out by the video referee on an off-side call.

There’d been a failed effort a couple of minutes earlier to engineer a try for the man of the hour and now Swann sensed one last shot.

From the penalty awarded he went for a quick tap and sent one-time centre Wiki spearing up-field. His 35-year-old legs hadn’t been required to run so far in a long time but, helped by some accommodating Maori players, he surged 70 metres or thereabouts towards the try line. No one stopped him or tried to stop him and the match ended triumphantly for the ultimate warrior with an entirely appropriate final act.

There was even more to come as Swann, who has finished his NRL career after 195 appearances for the Vodafone Warriors, supplied the conversion. On the field with Wiki and Swann in the final minutes was Jones who was himself the beneficiary of a farewell by the NZRL when he played for the All Golds in Warrington last year.

This match, which saw the All Golds playing in New Zealand for the first time since their only previous appearance in June 1908, showcased not just quality servants of the game in Wiki, Jones and Swann but also the bulk of the Kiwis’ squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

It also showcased inarguably the most exceptional array of pre-match haka seen before any major sporting event, three in all including riveting efforts from both the Maori and the All Golds.

If the Maori created some edge with their haka they matched it early on with their on-field endeavours.

The All Golds had started proceedings with a lovely swerving run by Benji Marshall opening the way for massive winger Manu Vatuvei to score a powerhouse try. But soon after 2007 Kiwi Shaun Kenny-Dowall returned serve after Arana Taumata’s deft kick laid on a four-pointer.

The Maori continued to extend the All Golds but it was the All Golds who scored two more tries – one an impressive Lance Hohaia effort – to lead 18-6 at halftime.

After the break, the All Golds had their best passage of the afternoon. A nice wide pass by Thomas Leuluai opened the way for Krisnan Inu to score before Inu served up a try for right winger Sam Perrett a few minutes later.

The most dazzling try of the day came in the 60th minute when Vatuvei cleaned up a kick by Koopu near his line before off-loading to send Hohaia on a thrilling run 90 metres down the touchline for his second try. And Vatuvei had his second try off a Maori error to stretch the lead to 38-6 with 15 minutes still to play.

The Maori didn’t fold their tents, coming back with a Jason Nightingale try which, in an NRL match, might have been ruled out for a stripping infringement in the lead-up. The video referee thought otherwise but he did apply the law book on the would-be Stanley try.

And that just happened to provide the chance for the final chapter with Wiki’s swansong try.

It couldn’t have ended better for him in a match that was also invaluable for the Kiwis as they eye their one-off test against Tonga in Auckland next Saturday (October 18) ahead of their World Cup opener against Australia in Sydney on October 26.

The Kiwi players, football staff and management not involved in the New Plymouth match assembled in Auckland today where they will be joined later tomorrow by the staff and players who were at Yarrow Stadium.

The non-All Golds players train at Beachlands tomorrow morning. All 24 players in the tournament squad have a strength session in Howick tomorrow afternoon.

Match details:

At Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
All Golds 44 (Manu Vatuvei 2, Lance Hohaia 2, Setaimata Sa, Krisnan Inu, Sam Perrett, Ruben Wiki tries; Issac Luke 3 conversions; Krisnan Inu 2 conversions; Logan Swann conversion).
New Zealand Maori 10 (Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jason Nightingale tries; Kevin Locke conversion).
Halftime: 18-6 All Golds.
Referee: Leon Williamson (Auckland).

 

[mrslong]

What is the deal with selection of this, I'm confused...Nightingale a Maori and Vatuvei an all gold? Huh?

 

[Sabu_2008]

Nightengale is Maori, and Vatuvei is Tongan.

The better argument would have been Marshall/Nightengale.

But I agree, the selection is iffy. Its more of a "probables" v "possibles", but instead its not a trial game...Id like to see them refine it, even as far as Maori v Non-Maori.

 

[mrslong]

Really Nightingale? he looks white as bro.

 

[Ironbroncos]

Dud game if it werent for Jones and Wiki..Maori's put up a good fight earlier on, and then 1 way traffic from the 2nd 40..

Swanns kick and Wikis 60+ mtr try was gold

 

[lyn]

Was this game televised? will it be?

 

[Sabu_2008]

It was live over here in NZ.

 

[gUt]

From the penalty awarded he went for a quick tap and sent one-time centre Wiki spearing up-field. His 35-year-old legs hadn’t been required to run so far in a long time but, helped by some accommodating Maori players, he surged 70 metres or thereabouts towards the try line. No one stopped him or tried to stop him and the match ended triumphantly for the ultimate warrior with an entirely appropriate final act.

That's awesome.

 

[Coxy]

A bit like the gift intercept they gave Mal Meninga in the 1994 Grand Final. Who said Canterbury aren't good sports?

 

[Nashy]

Played in Taranaki? Did they sell out.

Taranaki is a massive Union region of NZ.

NPC FTW.

 

[Sabu_2008]

Didnt even come close. Was a terrible effort, but they did fark all to promote the game.

 

[Nashy]

It would have landed on deaf ears. Trying to take league into New Plymouth is about as dumb as Bird drinking alcohol.

 

[Sabu_2008]

They've sold out tests in New Plymouth before.