Nz maori

Stargazer

Some of Cooper's selections will be dependent on who makes the AB squad, e.g. R Ioane, DMac.

The midfield options seem to be lacking in experience and quality.

[Rieko Ioane (Blues/Auckland)]
Jason Emery (Highlanders/Manawatu)
Matt Proctor (Hurricanes/Wellington)
Sean Wainui (Crusaders/Taranaki)
Jonah Lowe (NZU20s/Hawke's Bay)

These players lack quality? Lowe is the only one lacking Super Rugby experience, but NPC players have been selected for the Maori side before without having played Super Rugby.

I don't agree with you at all.

ACT Crusader

I'd be playing Ioane on the wing not midfield.

Is Proctor fit?

Stargazer

@ACT-Crusader said in Nz maori:

I'd be playing Ioane on the wing not midfield.

Is Proctor fit?

Proctor is recovering from a concussion. I guess it will depend on the seriousness of the concussion whether he'll be available for selection.

Bovidae

@Stargazer I don't see anyone in that list who could be considered a backline leader like Ngatai was last year.

Here was the Maori backline that played the Baabaas.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10. Marty McKenzie, 11. Matt Proctor, 12. Charlie Ngatai, 13. Sean Wainui, 14. Rieko Ioane, 15. Damian McKenzie.

So perhaps Proctor and Wainui would be the favoured midfield duo based on who is available this year.

The Baabaas backline and team were dominant in the game.
9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Tom Taylor (VC), 11. Patrick Osborne, 12. George Moala, 13. Seta Tamanivalu, 14. Cory Jane, 15. Andrew Horrell

Stargazer

@Bovidae said in Nz maori:

@Stargazer I don't see anyone in that list who could be considered a backline leader like Ngatai was last year.

Here was the Maori backline that played the Baabaas.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 10. Marty McKenzie, 11. Matt Proctor, 12. Charlie Ngatai, 13. Sean Wainui, 14. Rieko Ioane, 15. Damian McKenzie.

So perhaps Proctor and Wainui would be the favoured midfield duo based on who is available this year.

The Baabaas backline and team were dominant in the game.
9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Tom Taylor (VC), 11. Patrick Osborne, 12. George Moala, 13. Seta Tamanivalu, 14. Cory Jane, 15. Andrew Horrell

Maybe that's why they might be considering Bateman, who has captained the team a few years ago.

cgrant

Is Joe Tupe maori ? And Parete ?

African Monkey

@Wurzel I thought they were Samoan.

KiwiPie

@cgrant Not sure on Tupe but Parete has played for Taranaki Maori. Joe Royal is still playing but hasn't featured much, We have Toma and Tipuna at half-back and Kelly Haimona but he's an Italian international. Isaac Te Aute isn't ready yet

Stargazer

Stargazer

Maori All Blacks squad named:

Player	Province	Whakapapa
Leni Apisai *	Wellington	Ngati Awa
Tim Bateman	Canterbury	Ngai Tahu
Otere Black	Manawatu	Ngai Tuhoe / Te Whanau a Apanui / Ngati Tuwharetoa
Shane Christie	Ta$man	Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi / Ngati Kurawhatia
Ash Dixon, Captain	Hawkes Bay	Ngati Tahinga
Whetu Douglas *	Waikato	Ngati Porou / Ngati Whakaue
Jason Emery	Manawatu	Ngati Haua / Ngati Maniapoto
Chris Eves	Manawatu	Waikato / Tainui
Tom Franklin	Otago	Ngati Maniapoto
Billy Guyton *	Ta$man	Ngapuhi / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Raukawa
Kane Hames	Ta$man	Ngai Tuhoe / Ngati Porou
Akira Ioane	Auckland	Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui
Mike Kainga	Taranaki	Ngati Kahungunu
James Lowe	Ta$man	Ngapuhi / Ngai Te Rangi
Ben May	Hawkes Bay	Ngati Maniapoto
Marty McKenzie	Taranaki	Ngati Tuwharetoa / Ngati Tahinga
Leighton Price *	Taranaki	Waikato / Ngati Maniapoto
Reed Prinsep *	Canterbury	Te Rarawa
Matt Proctor	Wellington	Ngai Te Rangi / Ngapuhi
Kara Pryor *	Northland	Ngati Awa / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Rangitihi
Marcel Renata	Auckland	Ngati Whanaunga / Te Aupouri
Joe Royal	Bay of Plenty	Te Arawa / Ngati Whatua o Orakei / Ngapuhi
Jacob Skeen	Waikato	Ngapuhi
Sean Wainui	Taranaki	Ngai Tuhoe / Te Aitanga a Mahaki / Nga Arikikaiputahi / Ngati Porou
Brad Weber	Hawkes Bay	Ngati Porou
Ihaia West	Hawkes Bay	Ngati Kahungunu / Ngati Porou

Captain: Ash Dixon

One injured player, Declan O'Donnell is currently injured and will be replaced. Charlie Ngatai, last year's skipper, is still injured.

New players: Leni Apisai (Wellington), Whetu Douglas (Waikato), Billy Guyton ( Ta$man), Leighton Price (Taranaki), Reed Prinsep (Canterbury) and Kara Pryor (Northland)

Five players still involved in Mitre 10 Cup Finals will join the squad in Auckland after their matches this weekend.

The squad flies out on Sunday night.

http://www.allblacks.com/News/30023/maori-all-blacks-squad-named-for-northern-tour

JayCee

Sweet. Looking forward to this. Got tickets to the game in chicago on Groupon for $15!

Nepia

No Hika? He's still a better player than the captain of the team.

Hooroo

His attitude gets the best of him again I suspect./.....

SammyC

@Nepia said in Nz maori:

No Hika? He's still a better player than the captain of the team.

Must be a massive dickhead.

A shame because he could have been an All Black for many years

Stargazer

@Nepia said in Nz maori:

No Hika? He's still a better player than the captain of the team.

He hasn't played much this season, has he?
I'm mostly disappointed by the absence of Jonah Lowe. Nothing better than two J Lowes on the wing.

Nepia

@Stargazer said in Nz maori:

@Nepia said in Nz maori:

No Hika? He's still a better player than the captain of the team.

He hasn't played much this season, has he?
I'm mostly disappointed by the absence of Jonah Lowe. Nothing better than two J Lowes on the wing.

Oh yeah, I forgot about Jonah - he might have got close.

Crucial

Just found out I am getting tickets to the last game against Quins. Should be a bit of fun. Think I get to the after match as well so will be able to dish out a bit of advice

Magpie_in_aus

I thougt Hoani Matenga would have gone close with the lack of depth in lock and can play loose forward.

antipodean

Good squad, good captain and good coach.

broughie

@antipodean is cooper really that good? From my memory his successes have been limited.

The Silver Fern

Nz maori