New Zealand Maori vs England

[DIEHARD]

NEW ZEALAND MAORI vs ENGLAND

Click here to see headshots of the New Zealand Maori team

[DIEHARD]

NEW ZEALAND MAORI: Kevin Locke (Vodafone Warriors), Sandor Earl (Penrith), Timana Tahu (Parramatta), Clinton Toopi (Gold Coast), Arana J Taumata (North Queensland), Rangi Chase (Castleford), Jeremy Smith (Wakefield), Willie Heta (Otahuhu), Aaron Heremaia (Vodafone Warriors), Weller Hauraki (Crusaders), Justin Horo (Parramatta), Bodene Thompson (Gold Coast), Kevin Proctor (Melbourne), James Tamou (North Queensland), Sam McKendry (Penrith), Russell Packer (Vodafone Warriors). One player to be added from Kiwis.

Coach: Richie Blackmore.

[qld power]

poms up 18-0 half time
22minute try england atkins
28mins try england tomkins
40min try england o laughin

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54minute try moari bodene thompson
eng 18 moari 4

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maori try 64min hermaia
goal to locke
eng 18-10

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woop maoris end up getting up for 18-18 draw

[DIEHARD]

New Zealand Maori fight back to draw 18-all with England

England have been given a serious wake-up call a week out from the Four Nations, blowing an 18-point half-time lead to be mowed down by New Zealand Maori; the game ending in an 18-all draw.

Poor Maori defence allowed England to put on three first-half tries, but backrower Sean O'Loughlin's try just before the break signalled the end of the points for the touring Lions.

A second-half resurgence that saw the home side hold steadfast in defence also led to some creative attack, with Gold Coast Titans youngster Bodene Thompson opening the scoring for Maori.

England's lead was in even greater jeopardy with 20 minutes to go when Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia collected a Rangi Chase grubber close to the line to score next to the posts, closing the gap to 18-10.

Maori scored a controversial third try with 10 minutes remaining, with Chase regathering a first-tackle kick from deep in his own half and Arana Taumata scoring two passes later. However replays showed Chase was in front of the kicker.

A Kevin Locke penalty in the dying stages levelled the scores as both teams were forced to settle for a draw.

Earlier in the game, signs were good for an England side featuring NRL players Gareth Ellis, Sam Burgess and Gareth Widdop.

Centre Ryan Atkins and halfback Sam Tomkins both scored early tries but plenty of fine-tuning remains before playing New Zealand in the Four Nations opener in Wellington.

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au

[TITAN PETE]

Well done to Bodene this kid is going to be the Titans gun in the next few seasons