New Zealand Maori thumped Ireland A 50-22 in Exeter, England, but will need to lift their game if they are to defend their Churchill Cup rugby title.

New Zealand Maori ran in seven well-taken tries to four against Ireland A but assistant coach Shane Howarth feels England Saxons will be much tougher in the final at Twickenham on Sunday morning (NZtime).

" (Today) was okay -- there were couple of periods where we lost our way but the boys scored some great tries," former All Black and NZ Maori player Howarth told NZPA.

The Maori had come right late in the first half after weathering intense Irish pressure and started the second half well but lost unity in the latter stages.

"We started the second half very well and I thought we would carry on but we got a wee bit loose and started throwing the miracle pass, (there) was a little bit of touch rugby and a bit of sevens mixed in where perhaps we needed to stay in the game more."

England played a forwards-orientated game but didn't mind also giving the ball some air so certain areas in Maori play needed some work.

"Defensively, we got caught a couple of times today and we have to work on that for the final."

It was the Maori side's second big win of the competition after beating Canada 59-23 last Saturday.

Playing with purpose and structure, the Irish constricted the Maori team's wide game in dominating the first 30 minutes, with lock Ryan Caldwell outstanding.

Initially, the Maori had to rely on occasional ripostes sparked by skipper Rua Tipoki, wing Hosea Gear and first five-eighth Tamati Ellison.

Ireland took the lead in just under three minutes when centre Darren Cave nipped through to score a try which first five Johnny Sexton converted.

Ellison cut the deficit with a fifth minute penalty before his side took the lead from their first breakout of the match, with Gear swooping on a Shannon Paku kick-through.

The Irish replied with a try to second-five Keith Earls and the Maori found themselves down to 14 men when prop Ben May was shown the yellow card by Scottish referee Andy Macpherson for a ruck foul.

After 30 minutes, the Irish paid the price for their fiery start and the Maori gained parity as Tipoki and Gear sparked several dangerous moves.

A Gear surge close to the line was finished off by Paku for Ellison to convert in the 31st minute.

With the Irish down to 14 men after halfback Frank Murphy was sinbinned in the 35th minute for a blatant offside, Ellison touched down after beating a couple of tackles.

Dwayne Sweeney converted for a 24-12 halftime lead.

There was little on offer from the a bedraggled Irish in the second half, their spirits sagging by the minute as Tipoki's men slammed in try after try.

Gear scored after just three minutes and May atoned for his sin binning with a couple, with Ellison converting all three.

Ireland scored consolation tries through Cave and substitute lock David Gannon, but Maori substitute Callum Bruce had the final say with a try in the final minute.

Ellison was man of the match.

"Tamati Ellison put his hand up today -- he is a reluctant 10, though we were trying to turn him into a 10," Howarth said.

Other standouts were Angus McDonald and Tipoki while props May and a bloodied Aled de Malmanche were powerful with the ball in hand.

A number of players had been outstanding from the two matches and Howarth conceded selecting for the final was going to be tough.