Page 38 - MAB v The Lions

CRUNCH TIME
The Maori All Blacks claimed a a a a a a a a famous victory over the the Lions in in in in 2005 and a a a a a a a a a a a er er the the the the tourists’ defeat in in in in Dunedin they’ll fancy the the the chances of history repeating itself WORDS: LYNN MCCONNELL
JUST WHEN IT SEEMED
things were on on the the up for the the the British & Irish Lions the the Highlanders pulled off
a a a midweek upset in in Dunedin and the the result is likely to to ensure an an even tougher test for the the Maori All Blacks here in Rotorua tonight The importance of a a a a a a a good showing by the the Lions against the the Maori cannot be overstated They need to make a a a a a a a a a a statement of of intent ahead of of next week’s rst Test at at at at Eden Park and they must show a a a a a a a a a a determination to to eliminate the the penalties and inability to to take prospective match-winning chances that Head Coach Warren Gatland has mentioned after both losses The Maori will sense their own chance of adding to the the Lions’ woes although like the the the the Lions earlier in the the the the tour their unfamiliarity with one another may be a a a a a a weakness However the Maori All Blacks have never been short of inspiration and it it can be be guaranteed they’ll play with pride passion and physicality in in a a a a a a a a a a game that links them with some of the the the the greatest performances by their side against the the the the the Lions through the the the years In the the the eight of cial games played since 1930 the the the the widest margin has been the the the the the 11 points scored by the the the the the great 1971 Lions side but in in in in the the the the the other seven games the the the the the average margin has been 4 5 points with the the the the only Maoris win being their 19-13 victory in in in in in in the the the last game in in in in in in 2005 International matches against touring teams were until the the end of of the the amateur era in in 1995 a a a a a a traditional point of of aspiration for Maori sides and Rotorua tonight continues that legacy A more tting venue than Rotorua’s International Stadium the city being a a a a a a a signi cant centre of Maori culture is dif cult to imagine While an increase of of opportunities provided by end-of-season tours to to North America Japan and Europe have been a a a a a a a a a a a a boost for Maori sides there’s something special about playing against Test sides in in in in in front of your own people Playing for the the Maori All Blacks isn’t just about rugby rugby Such is is the the the place that Maori rugby rugby enjoys in in the the New Zealand game much effort has gone into establishing the the players’ relationship with their past and every member of the the the side is expected to to to be be able to to to speak to to to their their team-mates about their their family
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