User blog comment:Elgb333/National Icons Pt. 2: Maori vs Bushrangers/@comment-379205-20190108005825

119's "Rumble Down Under" Edges:

Firearms: The Baker rifle had a longer range, but it is slower to reload, as the bullet had to be rammed down harder as, before the advent of a the Minie ball, which expanded upon firing, a rifle bullet had to fit tightly in the barrel. The Tupara, on the other hand, was a smoothbore musket, but a double barreled weapon, and slightly faster to reload, and will be more useful in the close quarters of the Australia/New Zealand bush. Edge: Maori

Melee: The dirk is an effective close-quarters weapon, to be sure, but the Toki axe is at least slightly longer, and has a heavy blade that can do a lot of damage. The Maori will also be more skilled and trained in close combat, giving him the advantage. Edge: Maori

Special: The boomerang could do some damage either thrown or as a club, but unless it hits the head in exactly the right place it won't do fatal damage, and it might even seriously incapacitate the target unless it hits either the head or the right place in an arm or leg- the radius or ulna in the forearm or the kneecap I could see breaking, but I'm not sure about something thicker like the femur. The Taiha, on the other hand, while lacking the range option, is more versatile, capable of being used for both striking and thrusting, making it a more effective weapon. Edge: Maori

X-Factors: The Bushrangers might have had better weapons later in the period of their existence, but as of the period we're looking at, the two are roughly evenly matched, especially as the bushrangers will not have horses. Also, the Maori are better trained and, while the bushrangers existed for longer, the Maori fight in more intense battles against British Army troops, and were more tactically experienced. Edge: Maori

Overall Winner: The Maori take this victory for their superior combat experience, training, and weapons more suited to combat in the environment this fight will take place in.