10 debutants named in Maori All Blacks team to face Ireland
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The Māori All Blacks starting pack features an experienced front row of loosehead prop Ollie Norris (Ngāpuhi), tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax (Muaupoko / Ngāi Tūhoe) and Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu) at hooker. Debutants Tyrone Thompson (Ngāi Tāmanuhiri / Ngāti Rangiwewehi) and Jermaine Ainsley (Te Rārawa / Te Arawa) will provide impact off the bench, alongside Crusaders prop, Tamaiti Williams (Ngāpuhi).
Locking duo of Josh Dickson (Ngāi Tahu) and Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou) will start, with Highlanders lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Ngāti Raukawa / Ngāti Tūwharetoa) on the bench. Billy Harmon (Ngāti Tahu), debutants Cameron Suafoa ( Ngāpuhi ) and Cullen Grace (Ngāti Whakaue / Ngāti Raukawa) make up the starting loose forward trio, with TK Howden (Ngāi Tūhoe) on the bench.
In the backs, a strong Chiefs combination of Kāpene Paheko (Co-Captain) Brad Weber (Ngāti Porou) and Josh Ioane (Te Rārawa) will take the field at nine and ten. Debutant and Kāpene Paheko (Co-Captain) TJ Perenara (Ngāti Rangitihi) will provide impact from the bench.
The midfield sees Rameka Poihipi (Ngāti Whakaue) and Billy Proctor (Ngāi Te Rangi/Ngāpuhi) start at 12 and 13.
The back three is made up of Connor Garden-Bachop (Ngāti Awa) on the left wing, Shaun Stevenson (Ngāpuhi) on the right. A first for brothers Zarn and Bailyn Sullivan to be named in the same team, with Zarn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu) starting at fullback, Hurricanes teammates and debutants Ruben Love (Te Atiawa) and Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu) to be injected off the bench.
Māori All Blacks Head Coach Clayton McMillan (Ngāi Te Rangi/Ngāi Tamawhariua/Te Rangihouhiri) said: “We are anticipating a huge challenge from Ireland on Wednesday. They are a top tier, physical team, with a strong defence.”
McMillan excited for Weber and Perenara to co-captain the Māori All Blacks, is expecting their experience to be an asset across the team which has 10 debutants.
The matchday 23 is as follows (Province/Super Rugby Club, and Iwi in brackets, debutants in bold).
1. Ollie Norris (Waikato / Chiefs / Ngāpuhi)
2. Kurt Eklund (Bay of Plenty / Blues / Ngāti Kahu)
3. Tyrel Lomax (Tasman / Hurricanes / Muaupoko / Ngāi Tūhoe)
4. Josh Dickson (Otago / Highlanders / Ngāi Tahu)
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hawkes Bay/Hurricanes/Ngāti Porou)
6. Cameron Suafoa (North Harbour / Blues / Ngāpuhi)
7. Billy Harmon (Canterbury / Highlanders / Ngāi Tahu)
8. Cullen Grace (Canterbury /Crusaders / Ngāti Whakaue / Ngāti Raukawa)
9. Brad Weber© - Kāpene Paheko (Hawkes Bay / Chiefs / Ngāti Porou)
10. Josh Ioane (Otago /Chiefs / Te Rārawa)
11. Connor Garden-Bachop (Wellington / Highlanders / Ngāti Awa)
12. Rameka Poihipi (Canterbury / Chiefs / Ngāti Whakaue)
13. Billy Proctor (Wellington / Hurricanes / Ngāi Te Rangi / Ngāpuhi)
14. Shaun Stevenson (North Harbour / Chiefs / Ngāpuhi)
15. Zarn Sullivan (Auckland / Blues / Ngāti Kahungunu)
16. Tyrone Thompson (Hawkes Bay / Chiefs / Ngāi Tāmanuhiri / Ngāti Rangiwewehi)
17. Tamaiti Williams (Canterbury / Crusaders / Ngāpuhi)
18. Jermaine Ainsley (Otago /Highlanders / Te Rārawa / Te Arawa)
19. Maanaki Selby-Rickit (Bay Of Plenty / Highlanders / Ngāti Raukawa / Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
20. TK Howden (Manawatu / Hurricanes / Ngāi Tūhoe)
21. TJ Perenara© - Kāpene Paheko (Wellington / Hurricanes / Ngāti Rangitihi)
22. Ruben Love (Wellington / Hurricanes / Te Atiawa)
23. Bailyn Sullivan (Waikato / Hurricanes / Ngāti Kahungunu)
