6 players with All Blacks experience have been named in the Maori All Blacks team to face the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians in two test matches this month.
The players are Akira Ioane, Elliot Dixon, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Bryn Hall, Nathan Harris and Tyrel Lomax.
Isaia Walker‑Leawere who has links to Fiji has also been named in the team.
Other top players are Otere Black, Ben May, Reed Prinsep, Sean Wainui and Shaun Stevenson.
Maori All Blacks Head Coach Clayton McMillan says the squad named was an exciting mix of vast experience and new energy.
McMillan says Fiji is a fantastic and exciting opposition who play a similar game to the Maori All Blacks.
He says they know Fiji will be looking to use this Series as preparation for their Rugby World Cup campaign.
Fiji plays the Maori All Blacks at 3pm next Saturday at the ANZ Stadium and you can catch the live commentary of the match on our sister station, Viti FM.
The two teams will meet again on the 20th of this month in Rotorua.
Forwards
Hookers:
Ash Dixon (Ngati Tahinga) Hawke's Bay / Highlanders
Nathan Harris (Ngati Apakura /Tainui) Waikato / Chiefs
Props:
Tyrel Lomax (Ngai Tuhoe/Muaupoko) Tasman / Highlanders
Ben May (Ngati Maniapoto) Hawke's Bay / Hurricanes
Marcel Renata (Ngati Whanaunga/Ngai Takoto) Auckland/ Blues
Ross Wright (Ngati Whatua/Ngati Porou) Northland / Blues
Locks:
Tom Franklin (Ngati Maniapoto) Otago / Highlanders
Pari Pari Parkinson (Te Whanau a Apanui) Tasman / Highlanders
Isaia Walker‑Leawere (Ngati Porou) Hawkes Bay / Hurricanes
Loose Forwards
Whetukamokamo Douglas (Ngati Porou/Ngati Whakaue) Canterbury / Crusaders
Elliot Dixon (Ngapuhi) Southland/ Highlanders
Akira Ioane (Ngapuhi/Te Whanau a Apanui) Auckland / Blues
Mitchell Karpik (Rongomaiwahine/Ngati Kahungunu) Bay of Plenty / Chiefs
Reed Prinsep (Te Rarawa) Canterbury / Hurricanes
Backs
Halfbacks:
Bryn Hall (Ngati Ranginui) North Harbour / Crusaders
Jonathan Ruru (Ngati Kahungunu/Rongomaiwahine) Auckland / Blues
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Ngati Pikiao) Taranaki / Chiefs
First five‑eighths:
Otere Black (Ngai Tuhoe/Te Whanau a Apanui/Ngati Tuwharetoa) Manawatu / Blues
Jackson Garden‑Bachop (Ngati Awa) Wellington / Hurricanes
Fletcher Smith (Ngati Kahungunu) Waikato / Hurricanes
Midfielders
Alex Nankivell (Ngapuhi) Tasman / Chiefs
Rob Thompson (Ngati Kahungunu / Nga Rauru) Manawatu / Highlanders
Teihorangi Walden (Te Atiawa) Taranaki / Highlanders
Outside backs:
Jordan Hyland (Ngai Tahu) Northland / Highlanders
Shaun Stevenson (Ngapuhi) North Harbour / Chiefs
Sean Wainui (Ngai Tuhoe/Ngati Porou) Taranaki / Chiefs
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