New Zealand Maori scored nine tries to three and overcame three yellow cards to beat the United States 59-22 in their rugby union clash at Chicago’s Soldier Field, stretching their unbeaten record against the USA to five games.
The Maori led 26-8 after a four-try first half and made Saturday’s game safe with a try-scoring double in the second half to lock Isaia Walker-Leawere, his first scored with the New Zealand team down to 13 men.
Both teams lacked a number of leading players but the Maori were able to demonstrate the depth of New Zealand rugby, which has 51 players involved with the All Blacks in Japan and Europe.
“I’m happy that a few of the young fellas got a run today,” New Zealand captain Ash Dixon said.
“The USA team came out pretty hot and we had to work hard there.
“We scored some nice tries but at times I was pretty disappointed with the way we defended.”
The Americans lamented their performance.
“I think we’re pretty disappointed with the way we played,” the Eagles’ New Zealand-born captain Tony Lambourn said.
“We’ve been training to a really high standard and we let ourselves down tonight.
“We tried to play to our game plan. We did that but we just weren’t accurate at it.”