Maori limber up with win over Waratahs

Waratahs pipped at the post

The New Zealand Maori limbered up for their participation in the Churchill Cup with a thrilling 20-16 victory over a depleted Waratahs side in Sydney on Friday night.

The Maori have not lost to New South Wales since 1935 and it looked like history was to be made with the clock at the SCG ticking closer to no-time and the locals clinging on to the lead.

But some brave captaincy from Jono Gibbs saw the visitors opt for line-outs when awarded late penalties, and replacement hooker Luke Mahoney duly plunged over the line from the back of a 10-man rolling maul for the winning scorer.

The Maori, under new coach Donny Stevenson for the first time, had opened the scoring through an early try by centre Pehi te Whare but two Peter Hewat penalties reduced the Waratahs' deficit to 7-6 at halftime.

New South Wales centre Ben Jacobs scored a converted try after the interval to give his team a 13-7 lead but Maori No.8 Thomas Waldron crossed the line soon afterwards.

Hewat had kicked a penalty to give the hosts a 16-15 lead on 66 minutes, but Gibbs and his men were to have the final word.

The Maori now head to North America where they will contest the Churchill Cup. They meet the US Eagles on Wednesday and Ireland 'A' on Saturday; both games will be played in San Francisco.

The scorers:

For NZ Maori:
Tries: Te Whare, Waldrom, Mahoney
Con: Bruce
Pen: Bruce

For NSW Waratahs:
Try: Jacobs
Con: Hewat
Pens: Hewat 3