Australia outlast gutsy Maori

SYDNEY - Australia overcame New Zealand Maori 41-29 last night in a full-blooded warm-up for their upcoming series against the British and Irish Lions.

The world champions outscored the Maori - who had not lost a single match in seven years - five tries to two, but did not seal victory until replacement winger Graeme Bond went over to score right on fulltime.

Daniel Herbert, Andrew Walker, Nick Stiles and Stephen Larkham also contributed tries for the Wallabies while fullback Carlos Spencer scored both Maori tries.

The Wallabies looked to have the match under control with 15 minutes to go when Larkham intercepted a loose pass from replacement Maori first-five David Hill, sprinting half the length of the field to score untouched and give his side a 31-19 lead.

But the Maori pulled back to within two points with less than five minutes to go with Spencer's second try and two penalties from Hill.

Wing Matthew Burke extended Australia's lead to five with a late penalty before Bond scored under the posts with the final play of the match to seal Australia's first win over the Maori since 1958.

If the Wallabies were hoping for an easy start to their international programme this year, they were to be sadly disappointed by a Maori side clearly intent on adding the world champions to their list of victims.

The Australians were rusty early on and lucky not to be further than 3-0 behind after 15 minutes as the Maori dominated the early exchanges.

But the Wallabies soon found their rhythm and went in front when centre Daniel Herbert cut through the Maori defence on the angle and sidestepped his way over for the first try.

Australia were threatening again a few minutes later, but the final pass went to ground and the Maori swooped on the ball and raced 80 metres upfield for flanker Troy Flavell to dive over.

But the try was disallowed when centre Caleb Ralph was reported by the touch judge for a late shoulder charge on Larkham.

Ralph was sin-binned and the Australians made him pay for his indiscretion when Walker waltzed past four defenders to score a wonderful solo try.

With 14 men on the field, the Maori could easily been outgunned, but they showed their strength with some powerful work by the forward pack leading the way.

Glen Jackson added a third penalty and Spencer finished off some wonderful lead-up work from the Maori, scoring in the right hand corner after many phases of play.

The Wallabies hit back soon after, prop Nick Stiles barging his way over to give Australia a 21-16 lead at halftime.

A Jackson penalty shortly after the re-start cut the deficit to two points, but Australia surged ahead with a penalty by Elton Flatley and Larkham's intercept try before the Maori stormed back into the match with some strong attack.

They were unlucky to be denied another try, as hooker Norm Hewitt burrowed under a maul on the goal line and appeared to get the ball down on the line. But the South African referee ruled Hewitt had been held up.

The world champions again showed their class just as they looked like they would succumb to the Maori pressure, picking up their game to finish with Bond's try.

It gave the final scoreline a look that belied the closeness of the contest.

The match was Australia's only warm-up for the three test series against the Lions which kicks off in Brisbane on June 30.

Australia 41 (D. Herbert, A. Walker, N. Foley, S. Larkham, G. Bond tries; E. Flatley 4 con 1 pen, M. Burke 1 con 1 pen)

Maori 29 (C. Spencer 2; G. Jackson 1 con 4 pen, D. Hill 1 con 1 pen)

Halftime: 21-16.

- REUTERS and HERALD ONLINE STAFF