The Haka was performed for the first time ahead of a WBC qualifier today, September 30th, 2022. New Zealand made its WBC qualifier debut in a tilt against 2013 qualifier Brazil. The verde amarelha are trying to make it back to the WBC and got off on the right foot with a 12-7 win.
Two big innings provided the bulk of the scoring with four in the first and a back breaking six in the seventh. They showed that as advertised, they can definitely hit. However, give credit to the Kiwis for answering the four-spot in the first with three in the second and finding four runs in the top of the eight to make it interesting after falling behind 12-3. In the end however, it is Brazil that will face Nicaragua next and New Zealand who will have to wait on the loser of the Argentina versus Pakistan game for a do or die tilt.
Brazil got solid work from up and down the lineup with all but two starters logging at least one hit. Note, starting catcher Daniel Molinari left in the second with an injury. Tim Lopes had particularly good day with three runs scored, two driven in and two hits. Some frailties did show up with pitching but Heitor Tokar was very sharp with five punch outs in 3.1 innings. For the Kiwis, Max Brown drove in three from the bottom of the lineup and Phillies prospect Nikau Pouaka-Grego drove in two more and was impressive defensively. Ultimately, pitching did them in in two particularly rough innings and there were a couple of fielding errors too which compounded issues.
For Brazil, they have passed the first test and will face a key second trial against a Nicaraguan squad that is also expected to seriously compete for a WBC berth. A win there would put Brazil in a very nice position. New Zealand showed pluck and determination in the loss and will look to take that into their next game which is a must win affair.
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