Ireland have beaten the Maori All Blacks by 30 points to 24 in Wellington.
An Ireland team, showing 15 changes to the side which beat New Zealand on Saturday, touched over for four tries in the midweek affair.
It was a great day for a relatively inexperienced side that was captained by Munster's Keith Earls.
FULL TIME! In a wet and windy Wellington, a powerful and impressive display 💪 #TeamOfUs | #MABvIRE pic.twitter.com/h2Yz7awNBR
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 12, 2022
Nick Timony and Jordan Larmour scored first-half tries for the tourists. to help build a 17-5 advantage at the interval.
Munster back-row Gavin Coombes forced his way over from close-range in the 67th minute, with Larmour adding his second in the dying minutes of the game.
Coach Andy Farrell will be delighted with the win and the momentum that will be kept within the squad.
𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 🤩
Full time in Wellington:
Maori All Blacks 2⃣4⃣ @IrishRugby 3⃣0⃣#MABvIRE #NZLvIRL #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/BXKfIz31mC
— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) July 12, 2022
Attention now turns to Saturday and a third meeting with New Zealand, with the series tied at one apiece.
There will be a much-changed side for that encounter, but todays was superb result for Ireland's young guns at the Sky stadium.
𝗔 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗪! 🙌
Our first win over the Māori All Blacks levels the two-match Series 1-1.#TeamOfUs | #MABvIRE pic.twitter.com/IWXgMgmTnz
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 12, 2022