New Zealand Maori showed ominous signs of their strength in the Churchill Cup rugby tournament when they left Canada's challenge by the wayside with a 59-23 win at Northampton today (NZ time).
They scored nine tries to three -- Canada's third coming against 14 players after lock IsaacRoss was in the sinbin for pulling down a maul -- showing they will be the team to beat again.
The Maori won the tournament easily last year and barely got out of second gear today to lead 31-11 at halftime.
Winger Anthony Tehana scored two of their five first-half tries and captain Rua Tipoki showed touches of brilliance to set up the victory before he retired from the game in the third quarter.
His replacement Tamati Ellison also scored -- with his first touch of the ball less than a minute of taking the field.
Both the forwards and backs scored tries, reflecting the 15-man game they employed to expose Canada's inexperience at the top level of the game.
Maori first five-eighth Callum Bruce scored 19 points from a try and seven conversions.
Their other tries came from wingers Tehana (two) and Pehi Te Whare, flanker Scott Waldrom, fullback Glen Horton, centre Jason Kawau, replacement midfielder Tamati Ellison and No 8 Warren Smith.
It took the Maori just sevens minutes to stamp their authority on the game when Waldrom scored after Bruce charged down a clearance kick from fullback Michael Pyke, one of Canada's scorers.
Five minutes later Te Whare crossed after a lineout drive.
When Tahana scored the first of his two tries before the end of the first quarter, when the ball popped from a Canadian-fed scrum, signs were clear that the Maori would run up a big score.
Whenever New Zealand ran the ball, with support from their strong forwards, Canada found it difficult to stop the momentum.
New Zealand's next match a is against Ireland A on Tuesday at Exeter.
NZ Maori 59 (Anthony Tehana 2, Pehi Te Whare, Scott Waldrom, Glen Horton, Callum Bruce, Jason Kawau, Tamati Ellison, Warren Smith tries; Callum Bruce 7 con), Canada 23 (Adam Kleeberger, Michael Pyke, Aaron Carpenter tries; James Pritchard 2 pen, con). Halftime: 31-11.
