Two penalties apiece, from Stephen Jones and his opposite number, David Hill had the game in Waikato tied at 6-6 at the break.

The crucial score of the second half came in the 58th minute when Leon McDonald scored his side's only try.

Luke McAlister added the points and a penalty in the 67th minute to put the Maori into a 19-6 lead.

With five minutes to go Brian O'Driscoll skipped past a tackle to score under the posts but the Maori closed out the game for a victory they fully deserved.