Maori mauling ends hopes

IRELAND A’S hopes of making the Churchill Cup final were left in tatters as the New Zealand Maori ran in seven tries in a one-sided contest at Sandy Park.

Michael Bradley’s side made a positive start when Darren Cave touched down early on but once Keith Earls had added a second, it was virtually all one-way traffic.

The Maori, who will now face England in Saturday’s final at Twickenham, were lethal in open space and cut Ireland to ribbons with some dazzling rugby.