Maori All Blacks named for tour closing match against Harlequins
The Maori All Blacks side to play Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop on Thursday morning (NZT) has been named.
The team is:
Province | Iwi | ||
1 | Kane Hames | Tasman | Ngai Tuhoe / Ngati Porou |
2 | Ash Dixon (Capt) | Hawkes Bay | Ngati Tahinga |
3 | Ben May | Hawkes Bay | Ngati Maniapoto / Tainui |
4 | Leighton Price | Taranaki | Waikato / Ngati Maniapoto |
5 | Tom Franklin | Otago | Ngati Maniapoto |
6 | Whetu Douglas | Waikato | Ngati Porou / Ngati Whakaue |
7 | Shane Christie | Tasman | Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi / Ngati Kurawhatia |
8 | Akira Ioane | Auckland | Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui |
9 | Brad Weber | Hawkes Bay | Ngati Porou |
10 | Ihaia West | Hawkes Bay | Ngati Kahungunu / Ngati Porou |
11 | Sean Wainui | Taranaki | Ngai Tuhoe/Te aitanga a Mahaki/Nga Arikikaiputahi/ Ngati Porou |
12 | Tim Bateman / | Canterbury | Ngai Tahu |
Jason Emery | Manawatu | Ngati Haua / Ngati Maniapoto | |
13 | Matt Proctor | Wellington | Ngapuhi / Ngaiterangi |
14 | Ambrose Curtis | Manawatu | Ngai Te Rangi |
15 | James Lowe | Tasman | Ngapuhi / Ngai Te Rangi |
Reserves | |||
16 | Joe Royal | Bay Of Plenty | Te Arawa / Ngati Whatua o arakei / Ngapuhi |
17 | Chris Eves | Manawatu | Waikato / Tainui |
18 | Marcel Renata | Auckland | Ngati Whanaunga / Te Aupouri |
19 | Jacob Skeen | Waikato | Ngapuhi |
20 | Reed Prinsep | Canterbury | Te Rarawa |
21 | Billy Guyton | Tasman | Ngapuhi / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Raukawa |
22 | Otere Black | Manawatu | Ngai Tuhoe/Te Whanau-a-Apanui/Ngati Tawharetoa |
23 | Jason Emery / | Manawatu | Ngati Haua / Ngati Maniapoto |
Marty McKenzie | Taranaki | Ngati Tawharetoa / Ngati Tahinga |
Head Coach Colin Cooper has made three changes to his run-on side for their tour-closing match against the Harlequins. Whetu Douglas will start 6, Sean Wainui gets a run on the wing, moving James Lowe to fullback.
The Maori All Blacks are looking to end their tour on a high note after their 27-14 loss to Munster in front of a sold-out Limerick crowd.
“We’ve gone for the most experienced team we can just because of the way the game is played over here.
“We’ve had to re-programme to adjust from playing the style of rugby we play back home to better adjust to the way they play rugby up here,” Cooper said.
“It’s been a good learning for the players and for us as coaches. We turned up in Munster on the back of a win in the US, and we weren’t ready for the style of rugby, particularly given the conditions, we faced in Munster,” he said.
Cooper reflected on the tour and said the learnings would be important as they build toward the Maori All Blacks fixture against the British and Irish Lions next year.
“Knowing that the Lions will probably play a similar style, it has been a good learning curve for us and given us a good focus for our training this week.
“These guys here have a great opportunity to be part of the Lions, but again, players in Super Rugby in 2017 will have a great opportunity to play for a spot in the team, so that will be exciting to watch,” Cooper said.
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