The Maori All Blacks team to take on USA has been named.

Nov 8 • General News, International, New Zealand • 2639 Views • Comments Off on The Maori All Blacks team to take on USA has been named.

The Maori All Blacks team to take on USA at PPL Park in Philadelphia on Saturday 9 November (Sunday 10 November NZT) has been named.

The side features six changes to the starting XV from the team that beat Canada 40-15 in the opening match of the North American Tour. Ash Dixon comes into the side to replace the injured Hika Elliot with Shane Christie and Blade Thomson also joining the forwards. The backline has been reshuffled with Ihaia West earning a starting spot at first five and Kurt Baker and Matt Proctor coming onto the wings.

The second and last match of the tour kicks off at 7pm ET (1pm NZT Sunday 10 November) and is broadcast live on SKY and delayed on Maori Television at 3.30pm.

Starting XV:

Iwi Province

1.Kane Hames Ngai Tuhoe/Ngati Porou Bay of Plenty
2.Ash Dixon Ngati Tahinga Hawke’s Bay
3.Ben Afeaki Ngati Awa North Harbour
4.Jarrad Hoeata Ngati Kahungunu / Ngai TuhoeTaranaki
5.Joe Wheeler Ngai Tahu Tasman
6.Shane Christie Te Atihaunui A Paparangi Tasman
7.Luke Braid Ngati Tumutumu Auckland
8.Blade Thomson* Ngapuhi Taranaki
9.Jamison Gibson-Park Ngati Porou/Ngai TaiTaranaki
10.Ihaia West Ngati Kahungunu /Ngati PorouHawke’s Bay
11.Matt Proctor Ngai te Rangi/Ngapuhi Wellington
12.Tim Bateman (capt) Ngai Tahu Wellington
13.Charlie Ngatai Ngati Porou/Te Whanau-a-Apanui Wellington
14.Kurt Baker Ngapuhi Taranaki
15.Robbie Robinson Ngati Tuwharetoa/ Ngati Tahinga Southland

Reserves
16.Joe Royal Te Arawa / Ngati Whatua I Orakei /Ngapuhi Bay of Plenty *
17.Chris Eves Tainui Manawatu
18.Nick Barrett Ngati Kahungunu Southland
19.Luke Katene* Ngati Toa Canterbury
20.Elliot Dixon Ngapuhi Southland
21.Chris Smylie Ngati Mutunga Taranaki
22.Jackson Willison Ngati Mahuta Waikato
23.Zac Guildford Ngati Kahunganu/Ngai Tahu Hawke’s Bay

*new cap

Coach Colin Cooper said he was really happy with the way team has come together and the number of changes reflected the depth in the squad.

“We are rewarding players that have all had great ITM seasons. Our challenge now is to continue working hard on getting our attacking and defence systems in place. We know USA will provide another tough match and we have huge respect for them.

“Losing Hika and Piri has robbed off of some experience, but Ash Dixon equipped himself really well when he came on and Jamison played extremely well given the short notice he had to join the starting XV.

“We have trained hard and enjoyed the warmer conditions in Philadelphia so I think we are in good shape to deliver the kind of game we want to play on Saturday. We certainly want to end the tour on a high note and are really looking forward to playing in front of American fans.”

A capacity 18,500 crowd is expected at PPL Park and conditions are expected to be dry and sunny for Saturday’s match with a maximum of 15 degrees forecast.

Watch the Maori All Blacks play USA

New Zealand
Live on SKY, delayed on Maori Television at 3.30pm