New Zealand Maoris 31 Ireland 28:After the car crash against the All Blacks last weekend, Ireland turned in a vastly improved performance today but suffered another defeat nonetheless. A terrible start, when they trailed 18-0, didn't bode well but the Irish second-string worked themselves back into the game only to come up just short in a thrilling match at the Rotarua International Stadium.
Replacement outhalf Willie Ripia slotted a late penalty to edge the Maori in front but Jonathan Sexton, who had been flawless in kicking seven penalties and a conversion, then had an opportunity to level the match with five minutes remaining.
The kick sailed wide, and the chance was lost.
The Maori raced to an early 18-0 lead as winger Hosea Gear and centre Dwayne Sweeney both scored tries, while Luke McAlister slotted a conversion and penalty.
The visitors, however, gradually clawed back into the game by patiently building phases that drew a stream of penalties as Sexton slotted all six of his shots at goal to ensure the sides went into the break locked at 18-18.
Ireland continued to build on their momentum with centre Paddy Wallace scoring a try straight from the restart, with Sexton converting to give Ireland a 25-18 lead.
The Maori managed to stem the flow with McAlister kicking a long-range penalty to cut the deficit to three points, before replacement flanker Karl Lowe finished off a sweeping move that was started by winger Sean Maitland from inside his own half.
Ripia converted Lowe's try before Sexton slotted his seventh penalty to tie the game at 28-28 with 15 minutes left.
Ripia gave the Maori the lead before Sexton missed his relatively easy shot at goal and the home side held out.
"We gave ourselves a real mountain to climb," Ireland captain Geordan Murphy said. "There are some positives we can take but also plenty to work on. Overall it's a disappointment . . . we wanted to win."