Yahoo Sports Ireland vs Maori All Blacks LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Jordan Larmour scores two tries in Ireland win
Ireland maintained momentum going into Saturday’s mouth-watering series decider against New Zealand after a second-string line-up impressively overcame the Maori All Blacks 30-24.
Andy Farrell’s squad will complete their Test trilogy against the All Blacks at Sky Stadium in Wellington and were given an early look at the venue on Tuesday. With senior players watching from the stands, their understudies battled back from a sloppy start as two tries from Jordan Larmour, plus scores from Nick Timoney and Gavin Coombes, helped avenge defeat to the Maoris in the opening match of the tour.
Only a handful of the inexperienced 23 on show are likely to be involved at the weekend but the result provides further impetus for Farrell’s men following their historic first away win over the Kiwis three days ago.
Rookie fly-half Ciaran Frawley slotted 10 points on a sodden, windy evening in the capital, during which Cian Prendergast and Larmour spent time in the sin bin.
Follow reaction from the uncapped international in Wellington with our live blog:
Maori All Blacks vs Ireland
FULL-TIME! - Maori All Blacks 24-30 Ireland
77’ - TRY! Larmour goes over for his second (MAB 17-30 IRE)
71’ - TRY! Love scores brilliant try to give Maori a chance (MAB 17-25 IRE)
67’ - TRY! Coombes burrows over from close range (MAB 12-25 IRE)
45’ - PENALTY TRY! Maori awarded a penalty try and Larmour sin-binned (MAB 12-20 IRE)
33’ - TRY! Timoney stretches out for the close-range try (MAB 5-17 IRE)
7’ - TRY! Audacious quick-thinking score from Larmour (MAB 5-7 IRE)
3’ - TRY! Stevenson scoots over for Maori (MAB 5-0 IRE)
Ireland coming off the back of historic first-ever win over All Blacks in New Zealand
Maori All Blacks won 32-17 in first match between the sides a fortnight ago
Ireland maintain momentum as second-string side impress in Maori All Blacks win
10:44 , Luke Baker
Ireland maintained momentum going into Saturday’s mouth-watering series decider against New Zealand after a second-string line-up impressively overcame the Maori All Blacks 30-24.
Andy Farrell’s squad will complete their Test trilogy against the All Blacks at Sky Stadium in Wellington and were given an early look at the venue on Tuesday.
With senior players watching from the stands, their understudies battled back from a sloppy start as two tries from Jordan Larmour, plus scores from Nick Timoney and Gavin Coombes, helped avenge defeat to the Maoris in the opening match of the tour.
Only a handful of the inexperienced 23 on show are likely to be involved at the weekend but the result provides further impetus for Farrell’s men following their historic first away win over the Kiwis three days ago.
Rookie fly-half Ciaran Frawley slotted 10 points on a sodden, windy evening in the capital, during which Cian Prendergast and Larmour spent time in the sin bin.
Maori All Blacks co-captain TJ Perenara talk about his side’s defeat
10:17 , Luke Baker
“We created a lot of opportunities. That's what most disappointing, that we didn't execute. The Irish were awesome - they created opportunities and took them. I’m proud of the effort the boys put out there.
“It’s been special for me and family to be part of the environment. It’s an environment I've wanted to be part of for long time. It’s surreal to be honest, I will look back on it fondly and it has been awesome.
“Being part of this team has been really cool. And being able to experience it with my mate Brad [Weber - fellow co-captain] has been special. I’ve known him a long time, played with him and against him loads of times, so it’s great to have experienced this with him.”
Ireland captain Keith Earls discusses Ireland’s victory
10:14 , Luke Baker
“It was very pleasing. At times we didn't help ourselves with our discipline in the first game. We had a lot of young players who maybe didn't know what it took to play big-boy rugby. But thankfully we got it done tonight.
“The conditions were windy, so it was similar to Thomond Park playing there.
“We knew if we gave them time and space, nine times out of 10 they will pick the right option and break a tackle. We knew our physicality had to be up there with our discipline.
“It's a proud moment to captain these lads. In 2017, there were a lot of young lads on tour and lots are senior players now. Good to see the young players come through again here.”
FULL-TIME! - Maori All Blacks 24-30 Ireland
09:58 , Luke Baker
Another entertaining encounter between these sides but this time it’s Ireland who triumph. Two tries for Jordan Larmour, great performances by Nick Timoney, Gavin Coombes and Ciaran Frawley and it’s a perfect start to a huge week for Irish rugby
80’ - Maori All Blacks 24-30 Ireland - TRY WEBER!
09:56 , Luke Baker
The final word, fittingly, goes to the Maori. Ruben Love has been brilliant since coming on and he steps a defender to scyther through the line, has Brad Weber in support and the scrum-half sprints in for the score.
Simple conversion is added.
79’ - Maori All Blacks 17-30 Ireland
09:55 , Luke Baker
Another barrelling run from Coombes but Earls is errant with his pass and it’s into touch on halfway. This will be the final play from the lineout.
78’ - Maori All Blacks 17-30 Ireland - MISSED CONVERSION
09:54 , Luke Baker
Tough conversion almost on the touchline for Frawley. He’s kicked well today though.
No dice on that one, blown wide in the breeze. But Ireland will win this game and deservedly so.
77’ - Maori All Blacks 17-30 Ireland - TRY LARMOUR!
09:53 , Luke Baker
First-phase ball from the lineout and Coombes takes them into the 22 before Casey’s snipe from the base makes another few metres.
Strong carry by Earls, crash ball by Prendergast but he’s knocked backwards. Ryan Baird’s tip on to Michael Bent before another Casey snipe. Five metres out now.
Flat pass out wide fizzed by Stuart McCloskey and Jordan Larmour gets his second try! Simple run-in for the winger. Great play
75’ - Maori All Blacks 17-25 Ireland
09:50 , Luke Baker
O’Brien threads a kick through and although Ioane gathers, he’s swallowed up by the kick chase. All Blacks trying to play out of their 22 but they’re going nowhere so Weber box kicks to touch.
74’ - Maori All Blacks 17-25 Ireland
09:49 , Luke Baker
Ireland go through the phases - big carries by Timoney among others. But Gavin Coombes goes off his feet and the All Blacks have a penalty.
Shanks the kick to touch though, so his side make less than 10 metres. They will have the lineout though, albeit well in their own half
72’ - Maori All Blacks 17-25 Ireland - SIN-BIN STEVENSON
09:47 , Luke Baker
Not good news for the All Blacks. Shaun Stevenson goes for the interception but only goes with one hand - that normally spells danger.
Yep, deliberate knock-on as it’s deemed he didn’t have a chance to regather after the one-handed attempt so that’s 10 minutes in the sin-bin. The rest of the game.
71’ - Maori All Blacks 17-25 Ireland - TRY LOVE!
09:44 , Luke Baker
WHAT A TRY! MAORI RUGBY AT IT’S BEST!
Ruben Love makes a break out of nothing, steps a number of players, gliding through the gaps. He fires the ball out wide to Cullen Grace and the No 8 is heading into touch but hurls the ball back inside, over a couple of defenders straight to Love who dives over. Exquisite!
Conversion missed by Ioane though and that keeps the deficit at two scores.
68’ - Maori All Blacks 12-25 Ireland - MISSED CONVERSION
09:40 , Luke Baker
Big kick for Frawley as he can take Ireland three scores clear. Tough from the touchline and it’s close but no dice. Drifts wide.
67’ - Maori All Blacks 12-25 Ireland - TRY COOMBES!
09:39 , Luke Baker
Scrappy from the lineout, the ball bobbling about but Ireland eventually dive on it and they’re a couple of metres out. Forwards carry tight, driving their legs.
And Gavin Coombes GETS OVER! The No 8 picks from the base, hits contact, driven over by three of his teammates. Burrowing score - textbook. Coombes is a master of that - scored more than 20 tries for Munster this season.
66’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:37 , Luke Baker
That change in possession didn’t last long... Brad Weber pinged for holding on and it’s an Ireland penalty. Kick to the corner...
65’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:37 , Luke Baker
Penalty advantage, so Casey tries a stabbed kick through the line. GORGEOUS! Frawley chases hard but Bailyn Sullivan retreats and gather well.
Back for the penalty. To the corner again, lineout secured but top defending by the All Blacks as Billy Harmon gets hands on the ball in the ruck, forcing Ireland to hold on
63’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:35 , Luke Baker
Great break by Lowry but absolutely SMASHED by Shaun Stevenson. Straight in the ribs, legal, safe and a hard hit - exactly what rugby needs in 2022.
Maori pinged - Kurt Eklund specifically - for playing the ball on the floor and there’s an opportunity from the lineout for Ireland to extend their lead.
61’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:31 , Luke Baker
Scrum penalty for the Maori against the head. Kick to touch on the Ireland 10-metre line and you know they’ll be running it from here.
Oh dear, not straight at the lineout, so another Ireland scrum
59’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:29 , Luke Baker
That wasn’t great by Josh Ioane. Goes for a 50/22 but gets nowhere near. The ball bounces dead, through the back of the in-goal area, closer to the posts than the touchline...
Scrum all the way back on the Maori 10-metre line for Ireland. How long will this scrum take...
56’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:23 , Luke Baker
Scrum finally completed. Ireland run it to the right and Lowry tries a kick through but it’s blocked and Maori have the ball in Irish territory.
But great work at the breakdown by Ireland - Nick Timoney again the man winning the turnover. He’s having a cracking game. Ireland now back up to 15 men
54’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:22 , Luke Baker
Another reset. Not good viewing, no entertainment in this at all but it plays into Ireland’s hands. Less than a minute until Larmour returns.
And yet another reset! Deary me.
52’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:20 , Luke Baker
Brad Weber on at scrum-half for his fellow co-captain TJ Perenara. Ireland taking their time with this scrum as they continue to tick the clock on the sin-bin.
Goes down and reset. Ideal for the tourists.
51’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:19 , Luke Baker
Lovely offload from the floor by Caleb Delany to help the All Blacks make some more metres.
Brilliant defence by Ireland though as they hold up a ball carrier, preventing the release and that’s a turnover. Superb work
49’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:18 , Luke Baker
Lineout safely secured and the Maoris clear but this is the right area of the field for Ireland to be playing in with a man disadvantage.
Powerful carry and leg drive by Stuart McCloskey before Kieran Treadwall makes more metres. McCloskey tries to spin out of a tackle, taking them towards five metres but a turnover!
Maori counter attack. Garden-Bachop kicks ahead and chases hard but Michael Lowry covers back. Treadwell then kicks clear but a good platform for the Maori.
47’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland
09:15 , Luke Baker
Is this a shift in momentum? Another 10 minutes down to 14 men for Ireland.
Maori boot clear but a beautiful sliding take by Jimmy O’Brien. A hard carry from Prendergast and Frawley then pings a grubber out of play five metres from the Maori line. Pressure on the hosts here.
45’ - Maori All Blacks 12-20 Ireland - PENALTY TRY AND SIN-BIN
09:13 , Luke Baker
Brilliant storming run down the left flank by Caleb Delany who offloads inside to Connor Garden-Bachop. The All Blacks winger is prevented from gathering the ball by an early tackle by Jordan Larmour.
A discussion with the TMO and it’s deemed Garden-Bachop would have scored without that intervention, so it’s a penalty try and 10 minutes in the sin-bin for Larmour. Shades of the non-penalty try at the weekend involving Johnny Sexton.
Maori back within eight points
44’ - Maori All Blacks 5-20 Ireland
09:08 , Luke Baker
Joe McCarthy fumbles the kick-off and the All Blacks will have a scrum as Ollie Norris returns to give them a full complement.
Maori leading the carry statistics 277m to 111m but Ireland’s tactics are working so far.
Handling errors costing MAB as centre Bailyn Sullivan fumbles the ball in a tackle from Jordan Larmour. Good hit.
42’ - Maori All Blacks 5-20 Ireland - PENALTY FRAWLEY!
09:07 , Luke Baker
About 35 metres out, more or less in front of the posts, so Ireland call for the tee.
Ciaran Frawley continues his perfect record in this game to extend the lead.
KICK-OFF! Maori All Blacks 5-17 Ireland
09:05 , Luke Baker
Back underway in Wellington. Maoris running from their own half but an early penalty for Ireland after good work at the breakdown by Nick Timoney.
Maori All Blacks 5-17 Ireland
09:04 , Luke Baker
Maori All Blacks assistant coach at half-time talking about the need to be more clinical and also stresses the importance of physicality.
The Maori will have about 30 seconds or so down to 14 men before Ollie Norris rejoins the fray.
HALF-TIME! Maori All Blacks 5-17 Ireland
08:50 , Luke Baker
Good work by Niall Scannell to read an intercept a little pop pass off the ruck and that allows Ireland to boot into the stands for half-time.
A much better first half from Ireland’s midweek side as Jordan Larmour and Nick Timoney have their tries in response to Shaun Stevenson’s early score.
39’ - Maori All Blacks 5-17 Ireland
08:49 , Luke Baker
Joe McCarthy plays the ball on the ground and it’s one last chance of this first half for the Maori All Blacks.
Good initial progress from the lineout to give them a platform in the Irish half.
37’ - Maori All Blacks 5-17 Ireland
08:48 , Luke Baker
The impressive Cullen Grace finds half a yard and slides through a gap in the defensive line to get the All Blacks on the front foot. But Alex Nankivell drops the ball in the 22 - not his first mistake of this half.
Cian Prendergast back on the pitch, so Ireland up to 15 men again. All Blacks still down to 14 until half-time.
35’ - Maori All Blacks 5-17 Ireland
08:44 , Luke Baker
Brilliant line-break by Caleb Delany as he bursts into the Irish 22. The ball squirts out of a subsequent ruck and Ireland jump on it. A penalty then allows Frawley to clear the pressure.
34’ - Maori All Blacks 5-17 Ireland - CONVERSION FRAWLEY!
08:43 , Luke Baker
Lovely kick by Ciaran Frawley from out wide, judges the wind and curls the ball back in between the posts. A handy 12-point lead for Ireland, who only have a couple of minutes before they’re back to 15 men.
33’ - Maori All Blacks 5-15 Ireland - TRY TIMONEY!
08:42 , Luke Baker
Keeping it tight in the forwards and they’re inches away. Another penalty advantage but this time it isn’t needed!
Nick Timoney picks up from the base, darts left, gets low and stretches out for the try. Great work by the flanker
31’ - Maori All Blacks 5-10 Ireland - SIN-BIN NORRIS!
08:40 , Luke Baker
And now both teams are down to 14 men.
Maori just about survive another Scannell drive towards the line but prop Ollie Norris deemed to come in at the side and he’s yellow carded. Ireland will go again from five metres out.
30’ - Maori All Blacks 5-10 Ireland
08:39 , Luke Baker
Ireland heading towards the line and Niall Scannell thinks he’s score as he pumps his legs but referee Dickson says he’s just short. Fair paly being able to get a view of that.
Had a penalty coming anyway, so back to the corner...
29’ - Maori All Blacks 5-10 Ireland
08:38 , Luke Baker
A huge flipping of the field. Ireland steal the lineout five metres from their own line and Frawley pumps the ball miles downfield into the All Blacks half.
Good kick chase, Stevenson gets himself in all sorts of trouble and Ireland ruck over. Nearly steal the ball, then it squirts out the back and Frawley brilliantly dives on it. Great turnover and awareness by the fly-half!
Thena penalty and an attacking lineout for the Irish
27’ - Maori All Blacks 5-10 Ireland - SIN-BIN PRENDERGAST!
08:36 , Luke Baker
Another good carry from Shaun Stevenson takes the Maori into the 22. Penalty won, they take it quickly and Cian Prendergast doesn’t retreat ten, tackles the man and referee Karl Dickson isn’t having that.
Ten minutes in the sin-bin for him and Maori kick to the corner
25’ - Maori All Blacks 5-10 Ireland - PENALTY FRAWLEY!
08:34 , Luke Baker
First good sustained set of carries for Ireland. Quick ball from the rucks, good carries by Jeremy Loughman and Jordan Larmour mixed in there.
Ollie Norris penalised at the breakdown and it’s a penalty from more or less bang in front. Unlike the Maori, Ireland call for the tee and simple for Ciaran Frawley to extend the advantage.
22’ - Maori All Blacks 5-7 Ireland
08:30 , Luke Baker
Manaaki Selby-Rickit pinged for going in at the side and Ireland survive. this time Frawley successfully finds touch towards halfway with the penalty. Chance for Ireland to build something, perhaps.
Maori pinged for closing the gap at the lineout and the visitors opt for a scrum from the free-kick.
21’ - Maori All Blacks 5-7 Ireland
08:29 , Luke Baker
Brilliant lineout steal by Cullen Grace, who can’t be far away from a full All Blacks call-up now, gives his side bonus ball.
Hard carries in the Ireland half and eventually blatant hands in the ruck from Joe McCarthy wins them a penalty. Kick towards the corner will provide a further platform.
18’ - Maori All Blacks 5-7 Ireland
08:26 , Luke Baker
Huge boot from Jimmy O’Brien finds touch on about halfway. A plodding driving maul gives them a platform but good pressing defence from Ireland.
All Blacks happy to throw the ball side to side, some neat pop passes and offloads. 43 carries already from the MABs. Knock on with the slippery ball - Ireland scrum.
16’ - Maori All Blacks 5-7 Ireland
08:23 , Luke Baker
Michael Lowry almost fumbles a high kick but frantically grabs the ball when it bounces off his chest. A bit of kick tennis and Ireland are always going to win that - the Maori much more comfortable playing with ball in hand.
Josh Ioane with a not-great clearance kick, finds touch on the ten-metre line and Ireland have the lineout after the territory gain
13’ - Maori All Blacks 5-7 Ireland
08:21 , Luke Baker
Great running rugby from the All Blacks. Shaun Stevenson gets half a yard on the right and bursts through a half-tackle, a line break eats up 30 metres and a couple of passes inside take the Maori into the 22.
Poor pass from a ruck by Alex Nankivell though and the hosts knock on. Reprieve for Ireland. The hosts are so dangerous with ball in hand though
12’ - Maori All Blacks 5-7 Ireland
08:19 , Luke Baker
Bit of space for the Maori and Connor Garden-Bachop cleverly chips ahead to send Ireland retreating. But great defensive work by Kieran Treadwell at the breakdown to win a turnover.
Oh dear - Ciaran Frawley misses touch from the penalty and the Maori have the ball again
10’ - Maori All Blacks 5-7 Ireland
08:17 , Luke Baker
Brilliantly audacious by Ireland, that. The Maori have dominated possession but one mistake was punished.
They’re back on the attack again but good defence by Earls. Penalty advantage All Blacks and a great snipe from the lock Isaia Walker-Leawere makes another 20 metres with Ireland snoozing around the base of the ruck.
Luckily for Ireland, the hosts then knock on in contact and they’ll have a scrum.
7’ - Maori All Blacks 5-7 Ireland - TRY LARMOUR!
08:15 , Luke Baker
OUT OF NOWHERE! A first Maori mistake as a wide pass goes into touch midway in their own half.
Captain Keith Earls is alert, he takes the lineout quickly - pops it to a rushing Jordan Larmour who bursts away down the right wing and race over for the score under the posts. Great awareness by Earls and nicely finished by Larmour. Superb!
Simple conversion added by Ciaran Frawley and Ireland lead.
6’ - Maori All Blacks 5-0 Ireland
08:13 , Luke Baker
Ireland need to settle here but a mishandle by Jimmy O’Brien won’t help them, although it was forward anyway. All Blacks comfortably win the scrum but good defence by Ireland to keep them at bay.
4’ - Maori All Blacks 5-0 Ireland - MISSED CONVERSION
08:10 , Luke Baker
Tricky touchline conversion and Josh Ioane can’t land it in this swirling wind. A poor start for Ireland but ideal for the All Blacks.
3’ - Maori All Blacks 5-0 Ireland - TRY STEVENSON!
08:09 , Luke Baker
Maori win a penalty for Ireland being offside and they kick to the corner. Driving maul incoming or a move off the back.
The latter. First-phase ball is fed left and they simply take advantage of the overlap, drawing men and Shaun Stevenson scoots round the outside for the score. Pretty dismal drift defence from Ireland.
KICK-OFF! Maori All Blacks 0-0 Ireland
08:07 , Luke Baker
Underway in Wellington and an inauspicious start for Ireland as they knock-on straight from the kick-off. The Maori quickly win a free-kick from the scrum.
Tap and go and they’re into the 22 already!
Maori All Blacks vs Ireland
08:04 , Luke Baker
It has been pelting it down in Wellington all day, so conditions are wet and slick. Holding on to the ball could be an issue.
The haka is done - kick-off imminent now.
Players to watch
08:02 , Luke Baker
Just a few minutes until kick-off at Sky Stadium. So who should you be looking out for on the Irish side?
It was a disjointed performance in the tour opener by Ireland when they lost to the Maori but Munster No 8 Gavin Coombes was impressive and bagged himself a deserved try.
The half-back pairing of Craig Casey and Ciaran Frawley frankly looked slightly out of their depth, Frawley especially, so it will be worth keeping an eye on any improvement there.
Ulster youngster Michael Lowry is electric and will be looking to prove a point from full-back after scoring twice and assisting another try on his international debut against Italy in this year’s Six Nations
Maori All Blacks head coach Clayton McMillan discusses the game
07:58 , Luke Baker
Maori All Blacks head coach Clayton McMillan has laid out his expectation from his team.
The Maori have made changes to the team that won last time out, with Max Hicks, Josh Moorby and Caleb Delany all making debuts to follow up the nine first-timers in the opening contest.
“The first match was really special, with nine debutants up against Ireland and this week the remaining three debutant players get that same opportunity to represent not only the team but their whÄnau and their iwi,” said McMillan. “The team are excited to take the field and showcase MÄori rugby in front of our Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) whÄnau.”
“We are anticipating Ireland to come back strong, we have learnt a lot from that first match in Hamilton as I am sure they have too.”
Andy Farrell talks about what he expects from his team
07:54 , Luke Baker
Andy Farrell knows his midweek team will be champing at the bit to put in a improved performance from the 32-17 defeat to open the tour.
“These guys have had to wait for another chance and they’re busting for that,” said Farrell. “The Maori beat us on the night and thoroughly deserved that, so it’s a chance to show how much they’ve improved.
“When you put two or three kids into a good side, say the Test side, everyone gets dragged along but when you put a lot of inexperienced players together, then cohesion is very hard to come by.
“Look, they have had two weeks to learn those lessons, be more disciplined, and to make sure they understand what it takes to win a big game. This certainly is big for them.”
Andy Farrell discusses selection of Keith Earls as captain
07:50 , Luke Baker
After 97 caps for Ireland, Keith Earls will captain his country for the first time today. But head coach Andy Farrell has no qualms about handing him the armband.
“Keith’s standing and status within the group are of the highest order so that’s an easy one. There’s no more deserving of a man to captain Ireland against the MÄoris,” said Farrell.
“It gave me a lot of pleasure asking him to do it. He’s a proud man and he’s really looking forward to it. Keith played in the first MÄori game and then he backed up (for the first Test), which is tough to do in a Test match, and scored a try.
“He didn’t play in the second Test obviously but the likes of him, Jack Conan, everyone to be honest, Conor (Murray), etc., their attitude has been absolutely top class.
“There’s only been one thing on their minds and that’s how can they help the team-mates that are probably playing in front of them better.”
Ireland vs Maori All Blacks team news
07:46 , Luke Baker
Andy Farrell has changed the entire starting XV that beat New Zealand in the second Test at the weekend as he rests players for the decider but there are only three changes from the first fixture between these two sides a fortnight ago.
Those three alterations see Niall Scannell replace injured hooker Dave Heffernan, Stuart McCloskey come in for Bundee Aki at inside centre and Michael Lowry start at full-back - pushing Jimmy O’Brien out to the left wing, which in turns nudges Keith Earls into the No 13 jersey as a replacement for James Hume who suffered a tour-ending injury in the first game. Earls also captains the side from outside centre.
Lock Kieran Treadwell - who came off the bench as a late replacement in the 23-12 second Test triumph - is the only starter against the Maoris who featured at all on Saturday.
Ireland: Michael Lowry; Jordan Larmour, Keith Earls (captain), Stuart McCloskey, Jimmy O’Brien; Ciaran Frawley, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Niall Scannell, Tom O’Toole, Joe McCarthy, Kieran Treadwell, Cian Prendergast, Nick Timoney, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Ed Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Mack Hansen.
Maori All Blacks: Josh Moorby; Shaun Stevenson, Bailyn Sullivan, Alex Nankivell, Connor Garden-Bachop; Josh Ioane, TJ Perenara (co-capt); Ollie Norris, Kurt Eklund, Tyrel Lomax; Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Isaia Walker-Leawere; Reed Prinsep, Billy Harmon, Cullen Grace.
Replacements: Leni Apisai, Tamaiti Williams, Marcel Renata, Max Hicks, Caleb Delany, Brad Weber (co-capt), Ruben Love, Billy Proctor
Ireland punished by Maori All Blacks as experimental side lose tour opener
07:42 , Luke Baker
Here’s a reminder of what happened in the first fixture between these two sides a fortnight ago to open the tour.
Ireland suffered a punishing start to their tour of New Zealand after an experimental side were dismantled by the dominant Maori All Blacks in Hamilton.
Andy Farrell fielded five uncapped players for the warm-up match and was left with plenty to ponder following a resounding 32-17 defeat.
Zarn Sullivan and Josh Ioane starred for the masterly Maoris, who ran in four first-half tries, while scores from stand-in skipper Bundee Aki and Gavin Coombes were scant consolation for the Irish.
Head coach Farrell will quickly turn his attention to Saturday’s opening Test of a three-match series with the formidable All Blacks in Auckland, where he will field a much-changed team and hope for a much-improved showing.
Few, if any, of his fringe players emerged with much credit from a cool, wet evening at FMG Stadium Waikato.
Ireland punished by Maori All Blacks as experimental side lose tour opener
Andy Farrell says Ireland ‘back themselves against anyone’ after stunning NZ win
07:36 , Luke Baker
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says his history-making side “back themselves against anyone” after setting up a mouth-watering series decider against New Zealand.
The Irish ended their wait for a first away victory over the All Blacks thanks to Saturday’s stunning 23-12 success in Dunedin.
A milestone victory at Forsyth Barr Stadium came just seven days after the tourists were blitzed 42-19 in Auckland to leave the three-match contest tantalisingly poised at 1-1.
Farrell is braced for a Kiwi backlash during next weekend’s Wellington finale but insists his players return to the North Island brimming with belief.
Andy Farrell says Ireland ‘back themselves against anyone’ after stunning NZ win
Ireland secure first-ever win over All Blacks in New Zealand thanks to Andrew Porter try double
07:32 , Luke Baker
What a day for Irish rugby it was on Saturday. History-making in fact.
Ireland claimed a historic first win away to New Zealand to force a series decider following a breathless Dunedin encounter packed with drama.
Andrew Porter twice powered over to help the impressive Irish to a deserved 23-12 victory over the indisciplined All Blacks.
Captain Johnny Sexton – passed fit to play following concussion concerns – added 13 points as Andy Farrell’s side set up a tantalising third and final Test in Wellington thanks to a landmark result.
Here’s a reminder of how it went down:
Ireland secure first-ever win over All Blacks in New Zealand thanks to Porter tries
Is Ireland vs Maori All Blacks on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch summer tour match
07:26 , Luke Baker
Ireland are gunning revenge for a defeat earlier in the tour and looking to maintain momentum ahead of the Test series decider on Saturday.
Here’s all you need to know about the uncapped international in Wellington:
Is Ireland vs Maori All Blacks on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
Maori All Blacks vs New Zealand
07:17 , Luke Baker
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Maori All Blacks vs New Zealand this morning.
For the second time on Ireland’s tour of New Zealand this summer, they will face the Maori All Blacks in an uncapped international - with the contest taking place at Sky Stadium in Wellington this morning.
The first contest a fortnight ago saw the Maoris emerge as 32-17 victors in Hamilton thanks to a scintillating display of running rugby and Ireland coach Andy Farrell will be eager for a measure of revenge to keep momentum rolling ahead of the Test series decider on Saturday.
Unsurprisingly, the starting XV is completely different to the side that played from the off in the historic victory over New Zealand at the weekend with lock Kieran Treadwell - who came off the bench as a late replacement in that 23-12 triumph - the only starter against the Maoris to feature at all. Keith Earls captains his country for the first time in his 97-cap international career.
Stick with us as we guide you through all the action.
