As Charlie Ngatai disturbed the autumn leaves in a corner of Oxford's Iffley Road rugby ground for a late try, New Zealand Maori celebrated a victory over Canada tighter than the scoreboard suggests.
A doctor named Roger Bannister ran the world's first sub-four minute mile at the adjacent running track 58 years ago but no such pace was displayed yesterday on a slippery field.
Coach Jamie Joseph's side completed a tepid tour which also included a loss to Leicester and a win over a second-tier RFU selection. On a cold English evening you hoped someone was sizzling sausages, baking pies and brewing coffee and tea. As witnesses to some dour rugby, the punters needed something to keep them toasty.
The Maori tour was hindered by injury and ill-discipline, underlined by two further yellow cards against Canada. Certainly they were tame offences. Romana Graham's high tackle on first-five Connor Braid was a classic big-man-on-small-man, chest-to-neck escapade while Tim Bateman appeared to make a genuine effort for an up-and-under rather than deliberately up-ending winger Taylor Paris in midair.
Graham's yellow card was issued by referee Martin Fox before he pulled a hamstring midway through the first half to be replaced by Ross Campbell - who then binned Bateman. Fox's exit may have been a blessing given his early "no feet on bodies" call which would have had rugby purists shuddering.
The post-match hongi must have felt sweet as the Maori closed out a nervy final 10-minute stanza. Captain Tanerau Latimer admitted later they had been too slow adapting to referees all tour, hence their 20-minute spell with 14 men.
Latimer, fellow flanker Shane Christie, first-five Willie Ripia and second-five Bateman all had steady games. Both sides had moments looking penetrative and played the most expansive game they could manage in the conditions.
The Maori were helped by a first-half solo try by left wing Andre Taylor. He scythed through the Canadian defence for the best part of 40m. Canada countered 10 minutes from the end through replacement hooker Ray Barkwill. Connor Braid's conversion took the score to 25-19.
They were deserved points given Canada's territorial dominance. It was also a nod to a united Canadian forward display; their scrum offered a decent shove and players like blindside flanker Tyler Ardron showed skilful hands and support play.
The Kieran Crowley-coached Canada were also unlucky not to score earlier. The referee ruled a scrum for a Maori carry-back even though winger Taylor Paris appeared to force a well-weighted stab kick before the chasers. Canada had seized on a dazed fullback Trent Renata being out of position.
The fixture was reassuringly old school. Thirty one clouds of steam waded about the sticky pitch as most of the crowd piled six-deep behind white post and two-rail fences. They spilled on to the field afterwards to mingle with the players.
New Zealand Maori 32 (A. Taylor, C. Ngatai tries; W. Ripia 2 cons, 6 pens) Canada 19 (R. Barkwill try; C. Braid con, J. Pritchard 4 pens). Halftime: 19-9.
- By Andrew Alderson
