Mt Smart hosts Internationals with a draw and a blow-out

New Zealand Maori (18) drew with England (18)
Kick off: 3:30pm AEDT

England have survived a spirited second half surge from New Zealand Maori to hold on to an 18-all draw in a heartstopping fixture at Mount Smart Stadium.

The visitors dominated proceedings in the first half, gaining an 18-nil ascendency at halftime. Australian based players Gareth Ellis and fullback Gareth Widdop two of the standouts, while halfback Sam Tomkins proved highly elusive.

To put it bluntly, England fell to pieces in the second stanza and the Maori clicked into gear. Three tries of their own reduced the deficit to 18-16, before a penalty goal to Kevin Locke in the last 10 minutes levelled things up.

Rangi Chase had the chance to snatch a massive upset but his final minute field goal attempt was met with a resolute English charge down. The match serves as a tantalising appetiser to the Four Nations later this month but poses more questions about the consistency of the English.

In injury news, veteran English prop Adrian Morley was benched early with an arm complaint. However, it appears the move was only precautionary.

England - 18
Tries: Ryan Atkins, Sam Tomkins, Sean O'Loughlin
Goals: Gareth Widdop 3/3
New Zealand Maori - 18
Tries: Bodene Thompson, Aaron Heremaia, Rangi Chase
Goals: Kevin Locke 3/4

Maori: Kevin Locke; Sandor Earl, Timana Tahu, Clinton Toopi (c), Kaine Manihera; A J Taumata, Rangi Chase; James Tamou, Aaron Heremaia, Russell Packer; Weller Hauraki, Justin Horo; Bodene Thompson. Interchange: Jeremy Smith, Kevin Proctor, Sam McKendry, Lewis Brown.

England: Gareth Widdop; Tom Briscoe, Michael Shenton, Ryan Atkins, Ryan Hall; Kevin Brown, Sam Tomkins; Adrian Morley (c), James Roby, Darrell Griffin; Gareth Ellis, Sam Burgess; Sean O'Loughlin. Interchange: Luke Robinson, Eorl Crabtree, Joel Tomkins, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison, Leroy Cudjoe.