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Cape Town - Chiefs centre Charlie Ngatai will captain an exciting mix of experienced hands and promising young talent when the Maori All Blacks play Fiji and the New Zealand Barbarians.
According to the Stuff website, coach Colin Cooper has retained 13 players who took part in last year's
tour to Japan, drafted in three members of the world champion New
Zealand Under-20 team and boasts 10 new caps ahead of their matches in
July.
"This is a well-balanced side with some very experienced campaigners
who have now played on several tours and know our systems well. I'll be
expecting them to lead by example and show the new boys the high
standards we expect.
"We have a proud record of success to uphold and I am sure this side will work hard to honour the great legacy of the Maori All Blacks," Cooper said.
Akira Ioane, who had a stellar Super Rugby season for the Blues and went on to help the Under-20 side win the world title in Italy, is joined by fellow Under-20 stars flyhalf Otere Black and utility back Sean Wainui while Sevens star Rieko Ioane has also been added to the squad.
The 27-strong squad will play Fiji on Saturday, July 11 in Suva before taking on the New Zealand Barbarians on Saturday, July 18 in Auckland.
Maori All Blacks:
Joe Royal, Ash Dixon, Quentin MacDonald, Chris Eves, Brendon Edmonds, Josh Hohneck, Ben May, Hayden Triggs, Jacob Skeen, Blade Thomson, Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Mitchell Crosswell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Otere Black, Jason Emery, Charlie Ngatai (captain), Sean Wainui, Kurt Baker, Rieko Ioane, Marty McKenzie, Matt Proctor, Codey Rei
Not available due to injury:
Tom Franklin, Mike Kainga, James Lowe, Sean Polwart, Dan Pryor, Joe Webber
