NZ Residents Overpower Maori in Huntly   15 Oct 2016

New Zealand Rugby League

NZ RESIDENTS OVERPOWER MAORI IN HUNTLY

Two tries in quick succession to centre Paulos Latu put NZ Residents on track for a 30-10 win over the NZ Maori XIII at Huntly’s Davies Park.

Ahead just 16-10 midway through the second half, the Residents side were far from comfortable in an encounter played on the heavy field, and in cold, windy and wet conditions.

The Maori had just struck through a cleverly taken try from Tomas Aoke, after centre Piki Rogers had claimed a high attacking bomb and grubbered into the goal area for his winger to force down.

But Latu was next to strike, when he accepted a sneaky offload from Alan Niulevu, who appeared well covered by the defence.

Moments later, his second touchdown took the margin out to 14 points and when Nathan Saumalu finished off a strong surge by centre Matt Sauni down the left,

Raymond Talimalie’s side-line conversion provided the icing on the cake.

The NZ Residents, drawn from the NZRL National Premiership & Championship competitions, never trailled, although they had to weather an initial 20 minutes of passion and pressure from the fired up Maori.

Tries from second row Taylor Daniels and fullback Siua Otunuku had them up 10-0 late in the opening stanza, but Maori hooker Kurt Kara struck right on half-time to keep the contest honest.

When the Maori dropped the second-half kick-off, super sub Tavita Satae took full advantage, lunging twice for the line and crossing it on the second occasion.

“I thought the boys played really well,” said Residents captain Roman Hifo. “Coming into camp this week, it was all about gelling and trying to be on the same page.

“It was the only opportunity for the boys to put on the Kiwis jersey, unless they play NRL. It meant a lot for them to represent their families and their country, and I think that made the difference.

“We knew we were coming into a big game and a big challenge.”

The game was staged in honour Maori rugby league stalwarts Bob Tukiri, Cathy Friend and Christine Panapa, and also provided a final (for now) league appearance for former NZ Kiwis and Canterbury Bulldogs winger Curtis Rona, who will now join the Western Force in Super Rugby.

“I wouldn’t have pictured myself playing on a wonderful muddy ground like this, but I’m here and it was a proud moment to put on the NZ Maori jersey, and represent my culture and my people,” he said. “It was a good way to finish off.

“I’m a bit upset about the result, but I think we’ll learn and hopefully the boys will get the win next year.”

NZ Residents 30 (Paulos Latu 2, Siua Otunuku, Tavita Satae, Nathan Saumalu & Taylor Daniels tries; Raymond Talimalie 3 goals) NZ Maori XIII 10 (Kurt Kara & Tomas Aoke tries; Piki Rogers goal)

Add a comment

News

Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students

29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more

New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process

7 Mar 2020 News By Rt HON WINSTON PETERS
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more

Business

NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19

17 Mar 2020 Business News By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more

NZ Government announces aviation relief package

19 Mar 2020 Business News By Hon Phil Twyford
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more

Living

Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London

6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall. It was the first... more

Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate

12 Jan 2022 Arts By Charlotte Everett
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...  New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more

Property

Fairer rules for tenants and landlords

17 Nov 2019 Property By Minister Kris Faafoi
17 NOVEMBER 2019 The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more

New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax

17 Apr 2019 Property By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more

Migration

Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued

19 Nov 2019 Migration By Hon Iain Lees-Galloway
19 NOVEMBER 2019 We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more

Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location

18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018 HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more

Travel

Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled

19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more

New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas

19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas more

Sport

The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners

27 Oct 2019 Cricket By Charlotte Everett
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more

PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final

26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more

Columns

Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade

11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade First published on Werewolf The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more

Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome

10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell   Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more

Kiwi Success

Congratulations to Loder Cup winner

26 Sep 2018 People By Hon Eugenie Sage
25 SEPTEMBER 2018 The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more

Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO

16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO HON JENNY SALESA Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more

Recruitment

Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers

14 Aug 2018 Recruitment By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers RT HON JACINDA ARDERN HON CHRIS HIPKINS Prime Minister The... more

Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers

22 Aug 2018 Recruitment By RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers RT HON JACINDA ARDERN HON CHRIS HIPKINS Prime Minister The... more