Rupeni Caucaunibuca headlines a trio of Northlanders who take the field for the Classic All Blacks tomorrow.

Derek Carpenter – William Whetton – Rupeni Caucaunibuca

Caucau is joined by William Whetton and Derek Carpenter when they take on the Flying Fijians, as part of the centennial celebrations of the Fijian Rugby Union.

However, those wanting to watch the game live are out of luck as the day-time match will be televised on Maori Television at 9.30pm tomorrow night.

THOUGH RugbyRedefined will attempt to load coverage so stay tuned

Confirmed players for the Classic All Blacks side are Orene Ai’i, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko, Sam Tuitupou, Adam Thompson, Murray Williams, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Rodney So’oialo, Caucau, William Whetton, Kevin Senio, Jack Whetton, Bradley Mika, Joe Ward, Justin Marshall, Jay Williams, Alex Woonton, Derek Carpenter and Jason Rutledge.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has been criticised recently for taking on the French in a three-test series, rather than going to Fiji to celebrate their 100th anniversary.

NZRU general manager of strategic relationships and partnerships Nigel Cass says an alternative of sending the Maori All Blacks was proposed instead – but in November, not June, as the Fijians requested. There were issues, due to the needs of Super Rugby franchises during the June international rugby window, around player and coach release.

Nor is the Classic All Blacks friendly in line with the wider financial commitment the IRB has made to the region.

IRB chief executive Brett Gosper said: “Fiji has been a huge contributor to world rugby, especially in terms of sevens and drawing attention to the Olympic movement.”

Source: Cameron Leslie | www.northernadvocate.co.nz

Classic All Blacks

The Classic All Blacks is a New Zealand Rugby Union made up of the finest All Blacks Players who were no longer contracted to the New Zealand Rugby Union. Formed in 2007, the team has played Japan on three occasions winning all meetings, English Aviva Premiership side Leicester Tigers and Classic teams from France and Australia

In 2013, the side will playe the Flying Fijians as part of Fiji’s Centennial anniversary, celebrating 100 years of Fijian rugby.

2013 Squad

Current squad as of May 16 2013

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under IRB eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-IRB nationality.

Player	Position	Date of Birth (Age)	Club/province	Capped
Jerome Kaino	Flanker	6 April 1983 (age 30)	Toyota Verblitz	49
Chris Masoe	Flanker	15 May 1979 (age 34)	Toulon	20
Justin Marshall	Scrum-half	5 August 1973 (age 39)	Unattached	81
Rupeni Caucaunibuca	Centre	5 June 1980 (age 33)	Northland	0 (guest player)
Joe Rokocoko	Wing	6 June 1983 (age 30)	Bayonne	68
Sitiveni Sivivatu	Wing	19 April 1982 (age 31)	Clermont	45

Results

Date	Venue	Home	Score	Away	Notes
9 May 2007	Home’s Stadium Kobe, Kobe	Japan	26 – 35	Classic All Blacks	2007 Japan tour
12 May 2007	Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo	Japan	6 – 36	Classic All Blacks	2007 Japan tour
25 May 2008	Welford Road Stadium, Leicester	Leicester Tigers	26 – 41	Classic All Blacks
31 May 2008	Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo	Japan	13 – 15	Classic All Blacks	2008 Japan tour
11 March 2011	Ballymore Stadium, Queensland	Classic Wallabies	20 – 58	Classic All Blacks
18 Sept 2011	Queenstown Recreation Ground, Queensland	Classic All Blacks	57 – 15	French Classics
12 June 2013	ANZ Stadium, Suva	Fiji	–	Classic All Blacks