6 players with All Blacks experience named in Maori All Blacks team

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