NZ Maori make it 2-0 in Canada

The touring New Zealand Maori scored eight tries in blowing away a Canadian All Stars team 52-11 in Ottawa today.

After an unsettled first 20 minutes when the Maori led just 7-5, they picked up their rhythm gradually to move ahead 21-5 at halftime before scoring five tries in the second half.

"It's extremely hot, we had to cut off our warm-up session to just 10 minutes and get back into the shed," Maori coach Matt Te Pou told NZPA after the match.

"Sweat just poured from the guys and making handling hard. It was like a match on a wet day...that contributed to a rather scrappy first half.

"I think we bombed about four tries in that first half, but I suppose you can't really complain about 50 points in the end."

It was the second time in as many matches the touring side has rattled up more than 50 points on tour.

They beat the Canadian test side 65-27 last Sunday in their opening game and a return match between the two sides will be played in Kingston, Ontario, on Sunday (NZ time).

Tries by both the backs and forwards reflected the Maori team's all-round game today.

North Harbour's former All Blacks No 8 Ron Cribb was a standout with ball in hand. He smashed through the defence on several occasions to start the attacking momentum in the second half.

He scored one of the five tries by the Maori team in the second half.

Wayne Ormond set up winger Justin's Wilson's first try following a lineout close to the All Stars' line.

Scott Linklater was next to cross the try line after the Maori team decided to drive from a lineout.

Bryce Robins scored the third try, and Glen Jackson converted all three tries for their 21-5 lead at halftime.

"Once we settled down in the second half we played the way we wanted to because our guys were getting over the advantage line quite often," Te Pou said.

Warren Smith, Cribb, Rico Gear and Joe Maddock scored the second half tries before fullback Christian Cullen finished the game off in style with a nice over-head chip and catch to score the team's eighth try.

NZ Maori 52 (Justin Wilson, Scott Linklater, Bryce Robins, Warren Smith, Rico Gear, Ron Cribb, Joe Maddock, Christian Cullen tries; Glen Jackson 6 con), Canada All Stars 11. Halftime: 21-5.

- NZPA