Rugby: Smylie's loss big blow for Maori in clashes to come

Maori coach Jamie Joseph's worst nightmare has come true, with first-choice halfback Chris Smylie ruled out of their "tests" with a fractured cheekbone.

Smylie took a heavy knock in the first half of the Maori's last-gasp victory over the Barbarians at Whangarei and a fracture was confirmed yesterday.

"There's not a lot of depth in Maori halfbacks," Joseph admitted after the game when he was still hopeful of having Smylie back.

Manawatu's Aaron Smith took over and was tidy, but a lack of physical presence could harm the Maori as they look forward to Ireland and England over the next two weeks.

Barbarians coach Bryce Woodward, who saw his side hold a one-point lead until a late Hosea Gear try made it 37-31 to the Maori, identified the narrow channels around the breakdown as an area that can be exploited.

"They've got to be careful around the fringes," Woodward said. "Clearly we didn't want to play too tight because the Barbarians style is to give the ball some air, but I felt every time we went there we got some real gains. It's somewhere the English will be looking pretty closely at in terms of their attack patterns."

Joseph conceded the point.

"Defensively we were fairly average. The chase was at times unorganised, we got beaten one-on-one by players like Rene Ranger and when we turned over the ball we got beaten down the blindside."

Still, there was a lot to like about the way the Maori held their composure when falling behind twice late in the game. The backs showed with the limited amount of quality possession their tight five delivered them, they were a match for anyone.

Stephen Brett and Luke McAlister were guilty of over-egging the cake at times, but were always a threat. Wings Sean Maitland and Gear were strong and Robbie Robinson was eye-catching at the back.

At this stage of his career, Robinson looks better suited to the open spaces at the back, rather than trying to run the game in close.

"It's always good fun out the back there," Robinson said. "You've got a bit more time, a bit more space. You always want the ball because you feel you've got so much space at the back but you've got to stick to the game plan and when you do get it, make the most of it."

The 20-year-old does not mind what jersey he wears, saying his preference switches every time he changes position.

"When I go to one I think, 'yeah, I love this place', then I'll switch back to the other and realise I love it there, too."

Robinson took a heavy knock to his leg in the game but it is not expected to affect his availability for Friday's clash against Ireland at Rotorua.