All Blacks winger Hosea Gear scored three tries as the New Zealand Maori rugby team capped centenary celebrations with a 35-28 win over England Wednesday. The Maori, who had previously beaten the New Zealand Barbarians and Ireland in a three-match centenary series, rallied from 28-17 down at halftime to post its second win over England in as many meetings. Gear touched down once in the first half, and then twice in the first five minutes of the second to give the Maori control of a match in which they showed themselves the fitter and more enterprising team. England started strongly and led 13-0 after only nine minutes with a try to flanker Steffon Armitage, converted by flyhalf Charlie Hodgson, who also kicked two penalties. The Maori were constantly dangerous from turnovers and broken play and hit back with Gear's first try after 13 minutes. Captain Liam Messam went over four minutes later to give his team a 17-13 lead. England then rallied with two tries in the last two minutes of the first half – the first to scrumhalf Danny Care and the second to winger Chris Ashton after a Hodgson intercept – to take a 28-17 lead into halftime. The Maori realized they had to start the second half strongly to keep alive a proud international record which includes two wins over England and others over France, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. They made the start they needed as Gear touched down in the 42nd and 45th minutes to force the third lead change of a close and compelling match. Gear's second try put the Maori ahead 29-28 and they played heady, territorial rugby in the last 35 minutes to retain their lead. England had huge scrum superiority in the first half but the Maori gradually addressed that through tighthead Ben Afeaki and had enough control, both at set pieces and in the loose, to cling to their lead. They camped in England's half for much of the final quarter and replacement flyhalf Willie Ripia kicked penalties in the 71st and 75th minutes to clinch the win. England, needing a converted try to draw the match, threw everything at the Maori in the last five minutes but the home team's resolute defense held them out. “It was an awesome occasion and an awesome game,” Messam said. “They came at us really hard in those last five minutes and to finish the game like that was really pleasing. “They came out firing in the first 10 minutes and I thought the boys did well to claw our way back into the match.” England attempted to run the ball in the early stages of the match but lacked the pace or skill to make it a failsafe strategy. They resorted later to a tighter gameplan in which they attempted to dominate set pieces and, through that, both territory and possession. But they were unable to close down the Maori's opportunities on the counter-attack and they were heavily punished for turnovers and a lack of control in broken play.
