Māori All Blacks tear experimental Ireland side apart before first Test

Ireland endured a punishing start to their tour of New Zealand after an experimental side were dismantled by Māori All Blacks in Hamilton. Andy Farrell fielded five uncapped players for the warm-up match and was left with plenty to ponder following a resounding 32-17 defeat.

Zarn Sullivan and Josh Ioane starred for the Māoris, who ran in four first-half tries, while scores from stand-in skipper Bundee Aki and Gavin Coombes were scant consolation for the Irish.

Ireland’s head coach will quickly turn his attention to Saturday’s opening Test of a three-match series with the New Zealand in Auckland, where he will field a much-changed team and hope for a far greater showing.

Few, if any, of his fringe players emerged with much credit from a cool, wet evening at FMG Stadium Waikato. Back-rower Coombes was arguably the star performer, while the uncapped prop Jeremy Loughman, in-form centre James Hume and replacement Cian Healy each departed with injuries to add to Ireland’s woes.

Loughman lined up alongside fellow international debutants Ciarán Frawley, Jimmy O’Brien, Joe McCarthy and Cian Prendergast in a starting XV that contained just three players with more than six Test caps.

Frawley, who kicked seven points during the contest, traded early penalties with rival fly-half Ioane as both sides attempted to get to grips with slippery conditions which contributed heavily to possession frequently changing hands.

Sullivan dived over on the right for the opening try in the 17th minute after his perfectly weighted 50:22 kick had initially put Ireland in trouble. The visitors swiftly responded with a fine set-piece move.

A superb tip-on pass from Coombes took out Cameron Suafoa and Billy Harmon, allowing Aki to break the line and use