Paul Cully is a sports reporter for Stuff.
OPINION: The Māori All Blacks put in an exciting performance by beating Ireland 32-17 in Hamilton.
The home side had too much intensity, skill and purpose for the disappointing tourists, who must quickly regroup for the test against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.
be here stuff player ratings on an excellent evening for Māori rugby
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Zarn Sullivan. Executed a brilliant 50-22 after 15 minutes and scored the opening try from the resulting attack. Not perfect, but safe under the high ball and led to counterattacks as the Māori played with ambition and accuracy despite the slippery conditions. 8.5
Shaun Stevenson. Lack of recent playing time didn’t stop the elusive Chiefs winger, who presented a threat every time he touched the ball. Showed great pace for his attempt. With about half an hour to go replaced by Bailyn Sullivan. 8
Billy Proctor. Spilled the ball early in Bundee Aki’s tackle and was relatively quiet the entire time. 6
Rameka Poihipi. Grew in the game as the game progressed and came in contact as the battering ram in midfield. Strength was a real asset in the conditions. 7
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Māori All Blacks No 8 Cullen Grace looks set to match Ireland in Hamilton.
Connor Garden Bachop. The 23-year-old outside back was in tears during the national anthem and played with great passion. Looked dangerous with the ball in hand and showed what he is capable of after a difficult Highlanders campaign. 8.5
Josh Ioane. He missed two early kicks, but his excellent acceleration gave Shaun Stevenson the first try. After that, confidence soared and his quick hands and vision were excellent. Nice to see on this form. 8
Brad Weber (cc). The Chiefs halfback had a nice mix of control and speed in the first half and was rewarded with a try. 7
CullenGrace. He picked up where he left off in the Super Rugby Pacific final. Won lineouts, carried forcefully and was partly responsible for failing Ireland on two tries by keeping ball carriers above the try line. Missed a few tackles in the second half but was never far from the action. 8.5
Billy Harmon. A small mistake in defense led to Ireland’s first attempt at Bundee Aki, but made up for it with an excellent job with the ball in hand. Using his pace along the flanks, as a unit, the Māori flanks defeated their opposites. 8.5
Cameron Suafoa. Very impressive performance from the young Blues winger, who fully justified his roster over some of the more famous candidates in the back row. Often needed to bring the Māori to the fore and did not disappoint. One to watch. 8.5
Isaia Walker-Leawer. The Hurricanes lock made some quintessentially heavy porters, as the Māori pack provided an excellent platform, especially with their ability to deliver a good ruckball. 7
Josh Dickson. One of the most underrated players in Aotearoa. You’ve added more aggression to his game this year and made a lot of rucks against Ireland. Wouldn’t disappoint the All Blacks if called on. 8
Tyrel Lomax. Give a scrum penalty to veteran Cian Healy, but did better against Jeremy Loughman. Dropped a pass from Weber early in the second half, a mistake that almost led to an attempt by Ireland. 6
Kurt Ecklund. Put an early overthrow behind him and found it easier to throw at his Super Rugby lineout nemesis Cullen Grace rather than throwing him away. Good character to come back from what was a tough final against the Crusaders. 7
Ollie Norris. Another young contender who made a statement as the Māori dominated the first half of clashes against an indecisive team from Ireland. Part of a strong scrum and was prominent with ball in hand. Knocking on the door of the All Blacks. 8
Reservations:
Tyrone Thompson. Replaced Eklund in the later stages. N/A
Tamati Williams. In the second half, the Scrum match was more even. 5
Jermain Ainsley. Completed a remarkable journey from Wallaby to Māori All Black as he replaced Lomax in the second half. 5
Manaki Selby Rickit. Rolled through the last 20 minutes for Dickson, who had a knee injury. 5
T.K. Howden. Introduced for the last 12 minutes only. N/A
TJ Perenara (cc). Called on for the last 30 minutes when Ireland threatened a comeback, helping to keep the ship stable for the Māori. 7
Reuben Love. Came up when the result was no longer questionable. N/A
Baileyn Sullivan. Replaced Stevenson early in the second half and made some telling defensive contributions. 7