Maori All Blacks team to play Munster

Nov 10 • General News, International • 1549 Views • Comments Off on Maori All Blacks team to play Munster

Friday, 11 November, Limerick (7:30pm)

The Maori All Blacks have named their team to play Munster in Limerick this week.

The team is:

Otago

		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	Reed Prinsep *	Canterbury	Te Rarawa
7	Shane Christie	Tasman	Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi / Ngati Kurawhatia
8	Akira Ioane	Auckland	Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui
9	Billy Guyton *	Tasman	Ngapuhi / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Raukawa
10	Otere Black	Manawatu	Ngai Tuhoe / Te Whanau-a-Apanui / Ngati Tawharetoa
11	James Lowe	Tasman	Ngapuhi / Ngai Te Rangi
12	Tim Bateman	Canterbury	Ngai Tahu
13	Matt Proctor	Wellington	Ngapuhi / Ngaiterangi
14	Ambrose Curtis *	Manawatu	Ngai Te Rangi
15	Marty McKenzie	Taranaki	Ngati Tawharetoa / Ngati Tahinga

16	Leni Apisai *	Wellington	Ngati Awa
17	Chris Eves	Manawatu	Waikato / Tainui
18	Marcel Renata	Auckland	Ngati Whanaunga / Te Aupouri
19	Whetu Douglas *	Waikato	Ngati Porou / Ngati Whakaue
20	Kara Pryor	Northland	Ngati Awa / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Rangitihi
21	Brad Weber	Hawkes Bay	Ngati Porou
22	Ihaia West	Hawkes Bay	Ngati Kahungunu / Ngati Porou
23	Jason Emery	Manawatu	Ngati Haua / Ngati Maniapoto

* = New Cap

Head Coach Colin Cooper has made seven changes to the Maori All Blacks’ run-on side.

The side includes five new caps – Reed Prinsep, Billy Guyton and Ambrose Curtis who will start, while Under 20s captain Leni Apisai and Waikato skipper Whetu Douglas will make their debuts off the bench.

Cooper said the win over the USA last week was satisfying but they were also looking forward to the unique experience of playing in Limerick.

“Our exit plays last week were particularly good and I thought that was the edge that we had over the US. We played a lot of rugby in their half.

“But I think that Munster being another physical pack, particularly at lineout driving time, we will want to play the game in their half.

“We’re expecting a lot of physicality down the back so we’ll be looking to our bench to make an impact.

“This match is a huge game. I think every player at some stage in their career would like to play Munster in Limerick. We certainly saw the passion of the people here and the stadium being sold out, Ireland beating the All Blacks at the weekend – it’s got everyone pretty hummed so it will be a mighty contest,” Cooper said.

Expecting the Irish to get behind their team, Cooper said he was expecting some intense noise at Thomond Park Stadium.

“The crowd is like an extra, the 24th person. They are very vocal and very passionate so it will be a challenge for us.

“I’ve always admired Munster from afar. The people here are pretty passionate, and certainly people here know New Zealand and they know these players – they are very respectful people.

“This game is going to be special. I’ve always admired Munster from afar and now I’m going to be at the coalface of taking on Munster, it will be a great experience and opportunity to lead such good men like we’ve got in this group.”