Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the opening match of Ireland’s summer tour of New Zealand, with Andy Farrell’s side taking on the Māori All Blacks in Hamilton.
Kick-off at the FMG Stadium is at 8.05am Irish time, 7.05pm New Zealand time.
29 Jun 2022
7:33AM
Garry Doyle is our man in New Zealand for the tour, and you find his match preview here.
All week, Māori coach Clayton McMillan has been making all the right noises about Ireland, and you sense there is a sincerity to his words, that respect has been earned.
But it is just as easily lost. We’ve only sporadically seen the best of Joey Carbery since his ankle injury in 2019; we’ve yet to see anything of Ciaran Frawley, Loughman, Cian Prendergast in an Ireland shirt; we haven’t seen Aki or Mack Hansen at all in two months while the last sighting of Munster’s Casey and Gavin Coombes was with their heads bowed in defeat in Belfast.
Are they able to turn it on on Wednesday? For their sake, they need to, because even though it is nearly a year and a half away, in reality, Ireland’s World Cup begins now, not in Bordeaux, but here, halfway across the world in Waikato.
“We would have players in UCD who would come down and it’d be like it was a drop down to where they were coming from. But someone like Cian, that didn’t matter. It was minutes, and he just wanted to play because he knew Academy coaches would pore over videos of their game time and GPS scores and all that stuff.
“He knew that playing AIL and standing out would get him further down the track. He used the AIL to promote himself.”
29 Jun 2022
7:47AM
We’re just about 20 minutes away from kick-off in Hamilton. Here’s a reminder of how Ireland lineup, with Farrell picking a very experimental looking side for the game – the decision to name Ciarán Frawley at out-half perhaps the most intriguing selection.
Introducing our first line up of the Tour! ✊
Bundee Aki will captain Ireland against the Māori All Blacks at FMG Stadium Waikato on Wednesday night. #TeamOfUs | #MABvIRE
▪️ 10 debutants ▪️ Brad Weber & TJ Perenara named as Kāpene Paheko (co-captains) ▪️ Sullivan brothers named to play together for first time#MABvIREpic.twitter.com/FIcRi8iipI
Looks to be quite slippy underfoot in Hamilton, but a nice start from Ireland already, including a smart break from James Hume.
Some early concern too as Jeremy Loughman makes way for a HIA, with Cian Healy entering the action with less than two minutes on the clock. A bit of niggle in this game already too as Ciarán Frawley gets involved with Maori fullback Zarn Sullivan.
Ireland then win the first penalty of the day at the scrum, and Frawley is going to go for the posts.
Frawley slots the kick and Ireland are up and running. That’s a very promising start from the visitors, with some smart work on the ball and a big win at the scrum.
As I type, Ireland are pinged at the other end for not rolling away and the home side get an immediate opportunity to draw level.
Josh Ioane makes no mistake and the Maoris level the game. The home side are starting to grow into the contest as they go through the phases and test the Ireland defence for the first time today. Kieran Treadwell also receiving some early treatment.
29 Jun 2022
8:25AM
15mins: Maori All Blacks 3 Ireland 3
Game all being played in Ireland’s half at the moment in what is a scrappy enough start in Hamilton.
Jordan Larmour landed a big shot a few moments ago but needed a bit of treatment on his shoulder afterwards, while Cian Prendergast has been pinged for hands in the ruck.
Jeremy Loughman has passed his HIA and is back on the pitch, entering the action just as Zarn Sullivan produces a massive 50:22 to put his time right down in the far corner.
Debutant Zarn Sullivan scores the opening try of the game after his brilliant 50:22 started the move. From the lineout the Maoris work the ball patiently before the fullback times his run well to break the Ireland defence and cross. The conversion is missed and Ireland trail by five.
At the other end, Ireland almost pounce for an immediate response as Jimmy O’Brien kicks through for Jordan Larmour, but the bounce of the ball just evades his Leinster teammate.
What a moment for Ireland captain Bundee Aki, the former Chiefs man back on his old stomping ground today. A really nice set-piece move sees Gavin Coombes play in Aki, who has the speed and power to run in Ireland’s first try of the tour. Frawley adds the conversion and Ireland lead by two.
29 Jun 2022
8:35AM
25mins: Maori All Blacks 8 Ireland 10
A let off there for Ireland as Ioane sends what looked a kickable penalty well wide. The game is beginning to open up a little but Ireland look comfortable so far.
In the blink of an eye, the home side strike for their second try.
Zarn Sullivan was involved again with some great work under the high ball, before Josh Ioane burst forward and timed his pass out wide to Shaun Stevenson perfectly, the winger the showing the pace to beat an exposed Ciarán Frawley down the stretch – he might wonder where the cover was out wide. Ioane converts and the Maoris now lead by eight.
Ireland need to get a grip on this game, giving far too many penalties away and inviting pressure. Andy Farrell’s team are looking too loose, which is maybe to be expected given the make-up of the team.
After another sustained period of pressure, Maori scrum-half Brad Weber is able to pounce on a loose ball after a couple of quick rucks and dive over from close range uncontested. Ioane converts to push the gap out to 15 points. One-way traffic at the moment.
Quite the score that, with Sullivan starting things again – the fullback is having quite the game.
He stays calm to get the ball away under pressure, before Shaun Stevenson dances his way up the field, where the Maoris find themselves numbers up against a stretched Ireland defence. They nearly spill the ball with a loose pass but have the time and space to keep the move alive, as Cullen Grace crosses for their fourth try of the half. There’s a few Ireland players who won’t enjoy the replay of that one.
Ioane converts as a difficult opening 40 minutes for Andy Farrell’s team comes to a close.
Well, things not quite going to plan in Hamilton so far. There has been some really nice play from the home team but Ireland have struggled to get into the game and have been far too loose in places. A big improvement needed in the second 40.
We’ll be back shortly with all the action from the second half.
29 Jun 2022
9:11AM
41mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
We’re back underway in Hamilton. One change for Ireland at the break, Healy on for Loughman.
A shaky start to the second half as Craig Casey slices a kick badly off his boot. Ireland with a lineout on their own 22 now.
29 Jun 2022
9:19AM
45mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
Ireland finally applying some pressure with a series of pick and goes, but they can’t find a way through. Cian Healy thinks he’s got the ball down at one point, followed by a bad error from Dave Heffernan. Another little scuffle breaks out before the home team momentarily clear the pressure.
Ireland go again, with Cian Prendergast barrelling through but he’s held up over the line and Wayne Barnes calls for a goal-line dropout.
29 Jun 2022
9:22AM
48mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
Another close call goes against Ireland. This time it’s Nick Timoney who has a go from close range, we then go to the TMO and the decision is no try, and another goal-line dropout for the Maoris. Ireland getting closer but need to make something happen soon if they are to claw their way back into this game.
29 Jun 2022
9:25AM
50mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
It’s been a difficult night for a good few Ireland players out there but Gavin Coombes has had some really bright moments.
James Hume has just limped out for Ireland as Michael Lowry comes in to take his place. Hopefully that’s nothing too serious for the Ulster centre, he looked in a fair bit of discomfort.
Meanwhile, TJ Perenara has just entered the action for his first apperance in the Maori All Blacks jersey. Decent player to bring off the bench.
29 Jun 2022
9:27AM
52mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
A couple more changes for Ireland. Niall Scannell – who only landed in New Zealand yesterday – is in for Dave Heffernan and Ryan Baird has replaced Joe McCarthy. They’ve got 30 minutes to impress here.
29 Jun 2022
9:39AM
60mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
It all got a little bit chaotic there for a moment. Earls puts good pressure on a kick down the wing before Prendergast fires what looks a loose offload back infield, which Nick Timoney is on hand to collect. The ball moves inside to Frawley who shapes up a kick out towards Jordan Larmour on the opposite wing, but he gets his angles wrong and the ball is intercepted. The Maoris then attack again before Aki is pinged for a penalty.
Joey Carbery is going to play the last 20 minutes here, he’s just come in for Jimmy O’Brien, who had a tough outing at fullback.
Finally Ireland get another score on the board. Niall Scannell opts for a quick-tap penalty, has a go from close range and can’t find a way through, but Gavin Coombes is next man up and he manages to get the ball down. Frawley converts.
29 Jun 2022
9:52AM
70mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 17
Another worrying sight for Andy Farrell as Cian Healy is carted off with a leg injury, and he looks in some discomfort. Ireland’s squad depth getting properly tested on the first week of this tour. Finlay Bealham is the man on to replace Healy.
29 Jun 2022
9:58AM
75mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 17
Ruben Love strikes the post with a close-range penalty, leaving the Maoris yet to score in the second half. Love then combines with Tamaiti Williams to chop down Frawley, the Maoris win the penalty and we go for a scrum deep in the Ireland half.
The Maoris pop the ball out the back to Love but he sends a drop-goal effort wide.
29 Jun 2022
10:04AM
80mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 17
Another poor error as Frawley goes for the corner with a penalty but kicks the ball dead. Jack Conan is on for the last minute as Gavin Coombes makes way.
Where do you start with that? A really disappointing night for Ireland in Hamilton. Andy Farrell’s side looked off the pace in too many areas and lacked cohesion in both attack and defence. Throw in the injuries to James Hume and Cian Healy, and it’s far from an ideal start to the New Zealand tour, with the first Test against the All Blacks coming up on Saturday.
It will be a much-changed team this weekend of course but a good few players will feel they have let a great opportunity to impress slip.
We’ll have a full match report and all the reaction from Garry Doyle in New Zealand on site shortly. Thanks for joining us for our live coverage this morning, and we’ll hopefully catch some of you at our live event in Dublin later.
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As it happened: Māori All Blacks v Ireland
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the opening match of Ireland’s summer tour of New Zealand, with Andy Farrell’s side taking on the Māori All Blacks in Hamilton.
Kick-off at the FMG Stadium is at 8.05am Irish time, 7.05pm New Zealand time.
Garry Doyle is our man in New Zealand for the tour, and you find his match preview here.
All week, Māori coach Clayton McMillan has been making all the right noises about Ireland, and you sense there is a sincerity to his words, that respect has been earned.
But it is just as easily lost. We’ve only sporadically seen the best of Joey Carbery since his ankle injury in 2019; we’ve yet to see anything of Ciaran Frawley, Loughman, Cian Prendergast in an Ireland shirt; we haven’t seen Aki or Mack Hansen at all in two months while the last sighting of Munster’s Casey and Gavin Coombes was with their heads bowed in defeat in Belfast.
Are they able to turn it on on Wednesday? For their sake, they need to, because even though it is nearly a year and a half away, in reality, Ireland’s World Cup begins now, not in Bordeaux, but here, halfway across the world in Waikato.
And here’s a piece on Connacht’s Cian Prendergast, who starts in Hamilton today, just two years after being told there was no room for him in the Leinster Academy.
“We would have players in UCD who would come down and it’d be like it was a drop down to where they were coming from. But someone like Cian, that didn’t matter. It was minutes, and he just wanted to play because he knew Academy coaches would pore over videos of their game time and GPS scores and all that stuff.
“He knew that playing AIL and standing out would get him further down the track. He used the AIL to promote himself.”
We’re just about 20 minutes away from kick-off in Hamilton. Here’s a reminder of how Ireland lineup, with Farrell picking a very experimental looking side for the game – the decision to name Ciarán Frawley at out-half perhaps the most intriguing selection.
And here’s the home team.
The teams are out, with Ireland led by captain Bundee Aki. Time for the anthems. Predictions?
KICK-OFF
We’re underway in Hamilton.
5mins – Maori All Blacks 0 Ireland 0
Looks to be quite slippy underfoot in Hamilton, but a nice start from Ireland already, including a smart break from James Hume.
Some early concern too as Jeremy Loughman makes way for a HIA, with Cian Healy entering the action with less than two minutes on the clock. A bit of niggle in this game already too as Ciarán Frawley gets involved with Maori fullback Zarn Sullivan.
Ireland then win the first penalty of the day at the scrum, and Frawley is going to go for the posts.
Penalty – Maori All Blacks 0 Ireland 3 (Frawley)
Frawley slots the kick and Ireland are up and running. That’s a very promising start from the visitors, with some smart work on the ball and a big win at the scrum.
As I type, Ireland are pinged at the other end for not rolling away and the home side get an immediate opportunity to draw level.
Penalty – Maori All Blacks 3 (Ioane) Ireland 3
8mins: Maori All Blacks 3 Ireland 3
Josh Ioane makes no mistake and the Maoris level the game. The home side are starting to grow into the contest as they go through the phases and test the Ireland defence for the first time today. Kieran Treadwell also receiving some early treatment.
15mins: Maori All Blacks 3 Ireland 3
Game all being played in Ireland’s half at the moment in what is a scrappy enough start in Hamilton.
Jordan Larmour landed a big shot a few moments ago but needed a bit of treatment on his shoulder afterwards, while Cian Prendergast has been pinged for hands in the ruck.
Jeremy Loughman has passed his HIA and is back on the pitch, entering the action just as Zarn Sullivan produces a massive 50:22 to put his time right down in the far corner.
TRY – Maori All Blacks 8 (Sullivan) Ireland 3
20mins: Maori All Blacks 8 Ireland 3
Debutant Zarn Sullivan scores the opening try of the game after his brilliant 50:22 started the move. From the lineout the Maoris work the ball patiently before the fullback times his run well to break the Ireland defence and cross. The conversion is missed and Ireland trail by five.
At the other end, Ireland almost pounce for an immediate response as Jimmy O’Brien kicks through for Jordan Larmour, but the bounce of the ball just evades his Leinster teammate.
TRY! Maori All Blacks 8 Ireland 10 (Aki)
23mins: Maori All Blacks 8 Ireland 10
What a moment for Ireland captain Bundee Aki, the former Chiefs man back on his old stomping ground today. A really nice set-piece move sees Gavin Coombes play in Aki, who has the speed and power to run in Ireland’s first try of the tour. Frawley adds the conversion and Ireland lead by two.
25mins: Maori All Blacks 8 Ireland 10
A let off there for Ireland as Ioane sends what looked a kickable penalty well wide. The game is beginning to open up a little but Ireland look comfortable so far.
Penalty – Maori All Blacks 11 (Ioane) Ireland 10
28mins: Maori All Blacks 11 Ireland 1o
After sending a penalty effort wide, Ioane makes no mistake moments later with a more difficult effort to put the home side back in the lead.
Try – Maori All Blacks 18 (Stevenson) Ireland 10
30mins: Maori All Blacks 18 Ireland 10
In the blink of an eye, the home side strike for their second try.
Zarn Sullivan was involved again with some great work under the high ball, before Josh Ioane burst forward and timed his pass out wide to Shaun Stevenson perfectly, the winger the showing the pace to beat an exposed Ciarán Frawley down the stretch – he might wonder where the cover was out wide. Ioane converts and the Maoris now lead by eight.
Try – Maori All Blacks 25 (Weber) Ireland 10
37mins: Maori All Blacks 25 Ireland 10
Ireland need to get a grip on this game, giving far too many penalties away and inviting pressure. Andy Farrell’s team are looking too loose, which is maybe to be expected given the make-up of the team.
After another sustained period of pressure, Maori scrum-half Brad Weber is able to pounce on a loose ball after a couple of quick rucks and dive over from close range uncontested. Ioane converts to push the gap out to 15 points. One-way traffic at the moment.
Try – Maori All Blacks 32 (Grace) Ireland 10
40mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
Quite the score that, with Sullivan starting things again – the fullback is having quite the game.
He stays calm to get the ball away under pressure, before Shaun Stevenson dances his way up the field, where the Maoris find themselves numbers up against a stretched Ireland defence. They nearly spill the ball with a loose pass but have the time and space to keep the move alive, as Cullen Grace crosses for their fourth try of the half. There’s a few Ireland players who won’t enjoy the replay of that one.
Ioane converts as a difficult opening 40 minutes for Andy Farrell’s team comes to a close.
HALF-TIME: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
Well, things not quite going to plan in Hamilton so far. There has been some really nice play from the home team but Ireland have struggled to get into the game and have been far too loose in places. A big improvement needed in the second 40.
We’ll be back shortly with all the action from the second half.
41mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
We’re back underway in Hamilton. One change for Ireland at the break, Healy on for Loughman.
A shaky start to the second half as Craig Casey slices a kick badly off his boot. Ireland with a lineout on their own 22 now.
45mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
Ireland finally applying some pressure with a series of pick and goes, but they can’t find a way through. Cian Healy thinks he’s got the ball down at one point, followed by a bad error from Dave Heffernan. Another little scuffle breaks out before the home team momentarily clear the pressure.
Ireland go again, with Cian Prendergast barrelling through but he’s held up over the line and Wayne Barnes calls for a goal-line dropout.
48mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
Another close call goes against Ireland. This time it’s Nick Timoney who has a go from close range, we then go to the TMO and the decision is no try, and another goal-line dropout for the Maoris. Ireland getting closer but need to make something happen soon if they are to claw their way back into this game.
50mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
It’s been a difficult night for a good few Ireland players out there but Gavin Coombes has had some really bright moments.
James Hume has just limped out for Ireland as Michael Lowry comes in to take his place. Hopefully that’s nothing too serious for the Ulster centre, he looked in a fair bit of discomfort.
Meanwhile, TJ Perenara has just entered the action for his first apperance in the Maori All Blacks jersey. Decent player to bring off the bench.
52mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
A couple more changes for Ireland. Niall Scannell – who only landed in New Zealand yesterday – is in for Dave Heffernan and Ryan Baird has replaced Joe McCarthy. They’ve got 30 minutes to impress here.
60mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 10
It all got a little bit chaotic there for a moment. Earls puts good pressure on a kick down the wing before Prendergast fires what looks a loose offload back infield, which Nick Timoney is on hand to collect. The ball moves inside to Frawley who shapes up a kick out towards Jordan Larmour on the opposite wing, but he gets his angles wrong and the ball is intercepted. The Maoris then attack again before Aki is pinged for a penalty.
Joey Carbery is going to play the last 20 minutes here, he’s just come in for Jimmy O’Brien, who had a tough outing at fullback.
TRY! – Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 17 (Coombes)
68mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 17
Finally Ireland get another score on the board. Niall Scannell opts for a quick-tap penalty, has a go from close range and can’t find a way through, but Gavin Coombes is next man up and he manages to get the ball down. Frawley converts.
70mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 17
Another worrying sight for Andy Farrell as Cian Healy is carted off with a leg injury, and he looks in some discomfort. Ireland’s squad depth getting properly tested on the first week of this tour. Finlay Bealham is the man on to replace Healy.
75mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 17
Ruben Love strikes the post with a close-range penalty, leaving the Maoris yet to score in the second half. Love then combines with Tamaiti Williams to chop down Frawley, the Maoris win the penalty and we go for a scrum deep in the Ireland half.
The Maoris pop the ball out the back to Love but he sends a drop-goal effort wide.
80mins: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 17
Another poor error as Frawley goes for the corner with a penalty but kicks the ball dead. Jack Conan is on for the last minute as Gavin Coombes makes way.
FULLTIME: Maori All Blacks 32 Ireland 17
Where do you start with that? A really disappointing night for Ireland in Hamilton. Andy Farrell’s side looked off the pace in too many areas and lacked cohesion in both attack and defence. Throw in the injuries to James Hume and Cian Healy, and it’s far from an ideal start to the New Zealand tour, with the first Test against the All Blacks coming up on Saturday.
It will be a much-changed team this weekend of course but a good few players will feel they have let a great opportunity to impress slip.
We’ll have a full match report and all the reaction from Garry Doyle in New Zealand on site shortly. Thanks for joining us for our live coverage this morning, and we’ll hopefully catch some of you at our live event in Dublin later.
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