The Maori All Blacks have named a 29-strong squad to take on Japan XV and Scotland over the next two weeks.
11 of the 29 players are uncapped, with head coach Ross Filipo missing the services of six capped campaigners due to injury.
Blues hooker Kurt Eklund has been named as the team’s new captain, a recognition of the Ngati Kahu, Bay of Plenty product’s character and experience.
“This team demands a strong leader with mana, and Kurt has shown that quality and more over a long period of time, for the Maori All Blacks, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and the Blues. He has a lot of experience throughout the squad, and that will be a strength for what will be two tough matches,” Filipo said.
“It’s a proud moment for all the new caps and their whanau. This is a special team, and these players know they are here to represent something bigger than themselves – their whakapapa, their language, the jersey and Aotearoa.”
The coach spoke on the meaning of the team, highlighting it as a place to celebrate and connect with New Zealand’s indigenous culture.
“Maori rugby is the vehicle we use to express our indigenous identity. It holds the health and well-being of our people at the forefront, following in the pathways that have been paved before us and those that will follow. This team allows us to express our kaupapa to the world, to inspire all people and protect the taonga that is rugby in Aotearoa.”
Maori All Blacks squad
Props:
Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a P?p?rangi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)
Jared Proffit* (Ng?ti Porou/Taranaki/Chiefs)
Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ng?puhi/Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
Kershawl Sykes-Martin* (Ng?ti Porou/Tasman/Crusaders)
Mason Tupaea* (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru/Waikato/Blues)
Hookers:
Jacob Devery* (Te Aitanga a Mahaki/Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
Kurt Eklund?(Ng?ti Kahu/Bay of Plenty/Blues)
Locks:
Zach Gallagher* (Te ?tiawa/Canterbury/Hurricanes)
Laghlan McWhannell?(Ng?ti Kahungunu/Waikato/Blues)
Antonio Shalfoon* (Whakat?hea/Tasman/Crusaders)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ng?ti Porou/Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
Loose forwards:
Nikora Broughton?(Ng?rauru, Ng?ti Ruanui/Bay of Plenty/Highlanders)
Jahrome Brown* (Ng?ti Porou/Waikato/Chiefs)
Caleb Delany (Ng?ti T?wharetoa/Wellington/Hurricanes)
Cullen Grace?(Ng?ti Whakaue/Canterbury/Crusaders)
Te Kamaka Howden (T?hoe/Manawat?/Highlanders)
Half Backs:
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara* (Ng?i Tai, Ng?ti Porou/Auckland)
Sam Nock (Ng?puhi/Northland/Blues)
First five-eighths:
Rivez Reihana?(Ng?puhi, Ng?i Tahu, Ng?ti Hine/Northland/Crusaders)
Kaleb Trask (Ng?puhi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)
Midfield:
Corey Evans (Te Aupouri, Ng?ti Kahu/Northland/Blues)
Bailyn Sullivan (Ng?ti Kahungunu/Waikato/Hurricanes)
Daniel Rona?(Te ?tiawa/Taranaki/Chiefs)
Xavi Taele* (Ng?i Tahu/Auckland/Blues)
Gideon Wrampling* (Ng?puhi, Ng?ti Hine/Waikato/Chiefs)
Outside Backs:
Cole Forbes (Ng?ti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Blues)
Jonah Lowe (Ng?ti Pikiao/Hawke’s Bay/Highlanders)
Zarn Sullivan (Ng?ti Kahungunu/Hawke’s Bay/Blues)
* Denotes new cap
Injury Cover – Kade Banks* (Ng?puhi, Ng?ti Wh?tua/North Harbour/Hurricanes) has joined the squad as temporary injury cover for Daniel Rona.
The following players were not considered due to injury:
Rameka Poihipi (Ng?ti Whakaue)
Cameron Suafoa (Ng?puhi)
Taha Kemara (Te Wh?nau a Apanui, Te Whakat?hea)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi?(Ng?ti Rangitihi, Ng?ti Pikiao, T?hourangi, Ng?ti Whakaue, Ng?ti Awa)
Marcel Renata (Ng?ti Wh?naunga)
Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Ng?ti Raukawa)
