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Maori All Blacks squad for North America Tour named

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Maori All Blacks squad for North America Tour named

ab_maorisThe 26-strong Maori All Blacks squad to take on Canada and the United States next month was named today by New Zealand Maori Rugby Board Chairman Wayne Peters.

The side will be captained by Wellington and Hurricanes back Tim Bateman and features six former All Blacks and 11 players who played for the Maori All Blacks last year.

The squad departs for North America on Monday 28 October

The squad for the Maori All Blacks North America Tour is:

Iwi Province
FORWARDS
Hookers
 Hika Elliott  Ngāti Awa  Counties Manukau
 Corey Flynn  Ngāi Tahu  Canterbury
Props
 Ben Afeaki  Ngāti Awa  North Harbour
 Nick Barrett  Ngāti Kahungunu  Southland
 Chris Eves  Tainui  Manawatu
 Kane Hames  Ngāi Tuhoe/Ngāti Porou  Bay of Plenty
 Joe Royal  Te Arawa / Ngāti Whātua I Orakei  Bay of Plenty
Locks
 Jarrad Hoeata  Ngāti Kahungunu / Ngāi Tuhoe  Taranaki
 Luke Katene  Ngāti Toa  Canterbury
 Joe Wheeler  Ngāi Tahu  Tasman
Loose forwards
 Luke Braid  Ngāti Tumutumu  Auckland
 Shane Christie  Ngāti Kuri  Tasman
 Elliot Dixon  Ngāpuhi  Southland
 Liam Squire  Ngāi Tahu  Tasman
 Blade Thomson  Ngāpuhi  Taranaki
BACKS
Halfbacks
 Jamieson Gibson-Park  Ngāti Porou / Ngāi Tai  Taranaki
 Piri Weepu  Te Whakatōhea / Ngāi Tahu  Auckland
First five-eighth
 Ihaia West  Ngati Kahungunu / Ngāti Porou  Hawke’s Bay
Midfield backs
 Tim Bateman  Ngāi Tahu  Wellington
 Charlie Ngatai  Ngāti Porou/Te Whanau-a-Apanui  Wellington
 Jackson Willison  Ngāti Mahuta  Waikato
Outside backs
 Kurt Baker  Ngāpuhi  Taranaki
 Zac Guildford  Ngāti Kahunganu/Ngāi Tahu  Hawke’s Bay
 Robbie Robinson  Ngāti Tuwharetoa  Southland
 Andre Taylor  Ngāti Tuwharetoa/Ngāti Kahungunu  Taranaki
 Matt Proctor  Ngāi te Rangi/Ngāpuhi  Welliington
Coach Colin Cooper said he was pleased to take a squad boasting an exciting mix of experience and young talent.

“I’m really excited about this tour and the opportunities it gives young players to press for higher honours, as well as the chance to honour the proud legacy of the teams that have gone before.
“New Zealand Rugby has identified the Maori All Blacks as a high performance team and our selections reflect that.

“We have experienced campaigners like Hika Elliott and Piri Weepu as well as young up and comers like Ihaia West and Liam Squire so the side has great balance.

“While our time together is short, we are very determined to build on our international record and make the most of the matches against Canada and the United States.

“These are great times for the Maori All Blacks. We going to a part of the world which offers huge opportunities for New Zealand rugby and for our national teams to connect with more fans.

Also, with New Zealand Rugby Major Global Sponsor AIG’s support the team can now look forward to a regular international touring programme and that will help the All Blacks coaching team build for the future.”

26 year old Tim Bateman takes over the captaincy from Tanerau Latimer who was unavailable as he is due to have surgery on a long standing injury.

“I am thrilled for Tim to take over the leadership duties – he is a mature young man who leads by example. He knows the team culture really well having played for us in recent years so he is a great fit.

“I’m disappointed for Tanerau, but fully respect his reasons to step away for this tour.”


Maori All Blacks North American Tour schedule (NZT)

Sunday 3 November v Canada at BMO Stadium, kick-off 1pm (6am Monday 4 Nov)
Saturday 9 November v USA at PPL Park, kick-off 7pm (Midday Sunday 10 Nov)

Watch the Maori All Blacks

New Zealand
Both matches are live on SKY and then delayed later on Maori Television that same day.

North America

v Canada – live on TSN
v USA – live on FOX Soccer Plus and live streamed through the USA on http://www.foxsoccer2go.com/. The game will be repeated on FOX Sports 1 Sunday, Nov. 10, at noon ET. FOX Sports 1, the new national 24-hour multi-sport channel, launched Aug. 17 in more than 90 million homes across the U.S., marking the largest sports network launch in television history

Media note:
The Maori All Blacks assemble in Auckland on Sunday 27 October. Media are invited to training at 11.30am on Monday 28 October at King’s College, Otahuhu. Please let Mike Jaspers know if attending. The team departs on Monday evening. A full media schedule will be issued shortly.

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