Ireland maintained momentum going into Saturday’s mouth-watering series decider against New Zealand after a second-string line-up impressively overcame the Maori All Blacks 30-24.
Andy Farrell’s squad will complete their Test trilogy against the All Blacks at Sky Stadium in Wellington and were given an early look at the venue on Tuesday. With senior players watching from the stands, their understudies battled back from a sloppy start as two tries from Jordan Larmour, plus scores from Nick Timoney and Gavin Coombes, helped avenge defeat to the Maoris in the opening match of the tour.
Only a handful of the inexperienced 23 on show are likely to be involved at the weekend but the result provides further impetus for Farrell’s men following their historic first away win over the Kiwis three days ago.
Rookie fly-half Ciaran Frawley slotted 10 points on a sodden, windy evening in the capital, during which Cian Prendergast and Larmour spent time in the sin bin.
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