A clinical first-half display has seen the Māori All Blacks overpower Ireland, taking a 32-17 victory in the first match of the visitors' tour of New Zealand.
But despite leading 32-10 at halftime, courtesy of four tries in the opening spell, the Māori All Blacks didn't score a single point in the second half, as their defence held to deny Ireland.
The win is the Māori All Blacks' second over Ireland, after a 31-28 victory in Rotorua in 2010.
Both sides paid tribute to former Māori All Blacks winger Sean Wainui, who died in late 2021. Ireland presented a No.11 jersey to Wainui's widow and children, as the Māori All Blacks dedicated their haka to his memory.
After trading penalties to open the scoring, it was the Māori All Blacks who opened the scoring, thanks to Blues fullback Zarn Sullivan.
Having won a lineout with a 50-22, Sullivan was on hand to score the first try of the night, stepping past his defender to cross over.
Ireland hit back with a well-worked set piece, as an offload from No.8 Gavin Coombes put captain Bundee Aki away to give his side a 10-8 lead.
Aki was a fitting scorer for Ireland, grabbing a try on his former home ground after two seasons with the Chiefs, before a move to the northern hemisphere opened the door to represent his new home.
A penalty to Josh Ioane put the Māori All Blacks back in front before a first-half blitz gave the hosts control.
Ioane was involved again for the Māori All Blacks' next try, as he sent winger Shaun Stevenson away on the right flank to score, while co-captain Brad Weber had his side's third with a pick and go from the five-metre line.
On Māori All Blacks debut, Crusaders No.8 put the cherry on the cake in the first half, finishing off a miraculous effort after Billy Harmon shinned the ball forward following a pass from Stevenson.
Up 32-10 at the break, the Māori All Blacks weathered an initial storm from Ireland, only to see their defence breached in the 69th minute when No.8 Gavin Coombes went over from close range after a quick tap after a penalty.
Debutant Ruben Love had the chance to add to the Māori All Blacks' scoreline, but missed a penalty and drop goal attempt, seeing the second half come to an end with no change to the scoreline after Ireland's second try.
However, the tourists will be sweating on the fitness of two players, as centre James Hume and prop Cian Healy were both forced from the field with injury, giving Ireland a potential headache before the first test against the All Blacks, played at Eden Park on Saturday.
These two sides will meet again as the tour's penultimate match, held at Wellington's Sky Stadium on July 12.
Māori All Blacks 32 (Z.Sullivan, Stevenson, Weber, Grace tries; Ioane 3 conversions; Ioane 2 penalties)
Ireland 17 (Aki, Coombes tries; Frawley 2 conversions; Frawley penalty)
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