N.Z. Maoris fired up for league final

Press, 4 November 1988, Page 33

N.Z. Maoris fired up for league final

By Shane Hurndell for NZPA Apia The New Zealand Maori rugby league side has proved it is ready to meet the hosts, Western Samoa, in the final of the Pacific Cup tournament in Apia. The Maori side proved it in style with its 70-20 win against the Cook Islands in the semi-final played in front of 1000 spectators at the Apia stadium. The Maori captain, Barry Harvey (Wellington), said there ' is just one area of concern which needs to be eliminated before this Sunday’s final. “We relaxed for a 10 minute period in the first half. We made too many errors in this period and too many points were scored against us. Should we eliminate this we will be looking very, very strong in the final.” Harvey said his team has yet to take a thorough look at the Western Samoans. The Wellington captain and former Kiwi hooker believes the final will be won and lost in the battle of the stand-offs.

Western Samoa’s kingpin is its captain and the former Kiwi stand-off, Olsen Filipaina. "Our stand-off, Kelly Shelford, is proving to be world class and he should give Olsen a good battle in the final.” Harvey expected a stronger effort from the Cook Islanders. “They were not strong around the rucks and were not moving up on defence. These factors helped our cause.” As a result, the Maoris were allowed to run at will and all came out of the game with their reputations intact. The Wellington secondrower, Kelly Makaore, was the star and his haul of five tries was one short of the international record set by the former Kiwi captain, Hugh McGahan. The Maoris led 36-2 at half-time. In the other semi-final, Western Samoa earned its spot in the final with a 40-30 win against Tonga. Tonga led 18-16 at half-time.

The playoff for fifth and sixth resulted in Tokelau

beating American Samoa, 2616. American Samoa led 10-8 after the first quarter but Tokelau hit the front 16-10 at half-time and 20-16 after the third quarter. Point scorers in the three games were: New Zealand Maoris 70 (Kelly Makaore 5, Morvin Edwards 2, Darryl Henare 2, Paul Nahu 2, Victor Aramoana, Mark Woods tries; Nahu 3, Terry O’Shea 6 conv.) beat Cook Islands 20 (Eric McAlister, Suki Rea, Carl Magatogai tries; Ben Koteka 3 conv., penalty). Western Samoa 40 (Vili Vili 2, Mike Sete Fano, Loi Macheche, Kennedy Taogaga, Lafu Papalii, Simati Alaimoana tries; Danny Laulu 6 conv.) beat Tonga 30 (Tuikolovatu Halafihi, Dick Uluave, John Fifita, Sitani Mafi, Nicki Halalilo tries; Nicki Halalilo 5 conv). Tokelau 26 (Aleki Aloisio 2, Katieli Peleti, David Isaac, Mana Faraimo, Tala Kapa tries; Joe Koloi penalty) beat American Samoa 16 (Alani Ulia, Jim Amituanai, Latu Tumama tries; Tavita Ao 2 conv.).