SARrugby.com

Maori All Blacks lose opener to Leicester

Leicester's Tigers claimed the scalp of the Maori All Blacks with a 32-24 win at Welford Road on Wednesday (NZT).

The Maori scored three tries to two but conceded six penalty goals.

Leicester scored tries through three-quarters Niall Morris and Adam Thompstone in the first 30 minutes to achieve a 22-7 lead.

This was despite an early try to Maori halfback Frae Wilson's try early in the game. It came after hooker Hika Elliot offloaded in the tackle to lock Jason Eaton who drew the defence before giving the Wilson the run at the line.

Second five-eighths Tim Bateman scored just before half-time. Wing Kurt Baker came into the line from the short side to give Bateman the chance. Into the final quarter, and with replacement back and former Super Rugby player Daniel Bowden in the sin-bin along with Maori lock Jarrad Hoeta, centre Charlie Ngatai scored after a concerted Maori move.

However, first five George Ford's kicking accuracy kept the home team, who were without 10 players on international duty, in front.

Scorers:
Leicester Tigers 32 (Niall Morrie, Adam Thompstone tries; George Ford 2 con, 6 pen) Maori All Blacks 24 (Frae Wilson, Tim Batemen, Charlie Ngatai tries; Willie Ripia 3 con, pen). HT: 26-17

i just watched this game and the NZ maoris not really geled together yet, but showed some nice touches, was great to see willie ripia back though after all the dramas hes been through and hope that he is more focused and continues to play well.

the thing that really irked me about this game was the referee who i found to be very incompetenet, after 2012 ive learned to just deal with idiot refs and as long as they are consistent with stupid calls for both teams like the ref in the All Blacks/scotland test, then its all right because no one benifits from it, but IMO and maybe slightly one eyed, the ref was completely sh!thouse biased.
did anyone else who watched the game come to the same conclusion??? o_O