<notforsyndication>Read text commentary on this morning's match here.</notforsyndication>
Willie Ripia slotted a late penalty to help New Zealand Maori register a tight 31-28 victory over Ireland in their international match in Rotorua on Friday.
Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton, who had been flawless in kicking seven penalties and a conversion, had an opportunity to level the match with five minutes remaining but pushed his penalty attempt wide to the right for his only miss of the game.
The Maori jumped to an early 15-0 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.
Willie 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.
