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Maori All Blacks team named for rematch against Fiji in Rotorua

Maori All Blacks team named for rematch against Fiji in Rotorua

Maori All Blacks Head Coach Clayton McMillan (Ngai Te Rangi / Ngai Tamawhariua / Te Rangaihouhiri) has today named the team to take on Fiji in Rotorua this Saturday 20 July.

The team is (with Province, Investec Super Rugby Club, and Iwi):

1 Ross Wright Northland Ngati Whatua / Ngati Porou
2 Ash Dixon (Captain) Hawke’s Bay/Highlanders Ngati Tahinga
3 Tyrel Lomax Tasman/Highlanders Ngai Tuhoe / Muaupoko
4 Tom Franklin Bay Of Plenty/ Highlanders Ngati Maniapoto
5 Pari Pari Parkinson Tasman/Highlanders Te Whanau a Apanui
6 Reed Prinsep Canterbury/ Hurricanes Te Rarawa
7 Mitch Karpik Bay of Plenty/Chiefs Rongomaiwahine / Ngati Kahungunu
8 Whetukamokamo Douglas Canterbury/ Crusaders
Ngati Porou / Ngati Whakaue
9 Bryn Hall
North Harbour/ Crusaders Ngati Ranginui
10 Otere Black Manawatu/ Blues Ngai Tuhoe / Te Whanau a Apanui / Ngati Tuwharetoa
11 Sean Wainui Taranaki/ Chiefs Ngai Tuhoe/Te Aitanga a Mahaki/NgaArikikaiputahi/ Ngati Porou
12 Alex Nankivell Tasman/Chiefs Ngapuhi
13 Rob Thompson Manawatu/ Highlanders Ngati Kahungunu / Nga Rauru
14 Jordan Hyland Northland Ngai Tahu
15 Shaun Stevenson North Harbour/ Chiefs Ngapuhi
16 Nathan Harris Bay Of Plenty/Chiefs Ngati Hikairo / Waikato Tainui
17 Haereiti Hetet Waikato Ngati Maniapoto
Pouri Rakete-Stones Hawke’s Bay Ngapuhi
18 Marcel Renata Auckland/ Blues Ngati Whanaunga / Ngai Takoto
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere Hawke’s Bay/ Hurricanes Ngati Porou
20 Akira Ioane Auckland/Blues Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui
21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi Taranaki/Chiefs Ngati Pikiao
22 Fletcher Smith Waikato/ Hurricanes Ngati Kahungunu
23 Teihorangi Walden Taranaki/Highlanders Te Atiawa

McMillan has retained faith in the playing 23 that played Fiji in Suva last week, despite a disappointing 27-10 loss.  In addition to a few positional changes, the main switch in this week’s team sees five of last week’s reserves pick up starting positions in Rotorua this weekend.

Among them are loose forward Whetukamokamo Douglas and halfback Bryn Hall, who along with Alex Nankivell, Jordan Hyland, and the lofty Pari Pari Parkinson will all run on for the Maori All Blacks this week.  They swap with Akira Ioane, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Fletcher Smith and Teihorangi Walden who join hooker Nathan Harris as critical impact players from the bench.

Pouri Rakete-Stones has been bracketed alongside Haereiti Hetet.

“We came away from that game in Suva knowing we had a lot to work on, but actually there were some really positive things for us to take out of that match.

“The focus for us this week has been to sharpen our combinations and obviously we need to have a solid defence as well as an assertive attacking game if we are going to get the better of Fiji.

“They (Fiji) are a highly skilled and organised side.  We will want to show more of our flair, but we have to nail our structure up front if we want to be competitive.

“This is a special match for many of us who have never experienced the Maori All Blacks playing at home in front of our whanau and friends.  We are very excited about having home crowd advantage and we really hope our supporters come out in force on Saturday,” he said.

The Maori All Blacks have played Fiji 30 times with the Maori recording a 20-8-2 win/loss/draw tally.  Until last Saturday, the Maori team were unbeaten against Fiji since 1957.

WATCH
The match will be broadcast live on SKY Sport, coverage starting at 6:55PM.

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Maori All Blacks Management Team

Head Coach – Clayton McMcillan Ngai Te Rangi (Ngai Tamawhariua / Te Rangaihouhiri)
Assistant Coach – Roger Randle Ngati Awa
Assistant Coach – Joe Maddock Te Atiawa
Kaumatua – Luke Crawford Ngati Tuwharetoa / Ngati Porou
Manager – Tony Ward
Campaign Manager – Matt Sexton
Strength & Conditioning Trainer – Simon Thomas
Analyst – Jayson Ross, Ngati Kahungunu
Doctor – Ra Durie, Ngati Kauwhata / Ngati Raukawa / Rangitane
Physio – Adam Letts
Assistant Physio – Cameron Shaw
Logistics – Ezra Iupeli
Media Manager – Nonumalo Juli Clausen

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Maori All Blacks Match Schedule
Maori All Blacks 10 V Fiji 27
Saturday 13 July 2019
ANZ Stadium, Suva

V Fiji
Saturday 20 July 2019
Rotorua International Stadium

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