TJ Perenara starts the Maori All Blacks second game against Ireland

The Māori All Blacks team has been named to play Ireland at Sky Stadium in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) on Tuesday 12 July. (Kick-off 7.05pm NZ time/8.05am Irish time).

Head Coach Clayton McMillan has named a strong team to challenge Ireland in their closing match at Sky Stadium.

Following a win in Hamilton, the side sees a few changes to last week’s team with a strong contingent of local Hurricanes players named to take the field.

The starting front row remains unchanged, Ollie Norris will start at loosehead prop alongside tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax and hooker Kurt Eklund. Leni Apisa, Tamaiti Williams and Marcel Renata will provide impact off the bench.

Locking duo of Manaaki Selby-Rickit and Isaia Walker-Leawere will start, with debutant Max Hicks on the bench. Experienced campaigner Reed Prinsep alongside Billy Harmon and Cullen Grace make up the starting loose forward trio, with Hurricanes player and debutant Caleb Delany on the bench.

In the backs, Hurricanes halfback and Kāpene Paheko  (Co-Captain) TJ Perenara will take the field with Josh Ioane at nine and ten. Kāpene Paheko (Co-Captain) Brad Weber will provide impact from the bench.

The midfield sees a new combination, with Alex Nankivell and Bailyn Sullivan to start at 12 and 13. The back three is made up of Connor Garden-Bachop on the left wing, Shaun Stevenson on the right, with Josh Moorby debuting at fullback, Hurricanes teammates Ruben Love and Billy Proctor to be injected off the bench.

Head Coach Clayton McMillan said: “We are anticipating Ireland to come back strong on Tuesday, we have learnt a lot from that first match in Hamilton as I am sure they have too.”

With three debutants named in Tuesday’s match, McMillan is excited for Max Hicks, Josh Moorby and Caleb Delany to get the chance to pull on the Māori All Blacks jersey.

“The first match was really special, with nine debutants up against Ireland and this week the remaining three debutant players get that same opportunity to represent not only the team but their whānau and their iwi.”

“Last time the Māori All Blacks took the field at Sky Stadium it was amidst the Covid-19 outbreak with no crowds allowed at the match, McMillan said the team are excited to take the field and showcase Māori rugby in front of our Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) whānau.”

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. Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Bay of Plenty/Highlanders /Ngāti Raukawa/Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hawkes Bay/ Hurricanes/Ngāti Porou)
6. Reed Prinsep (Canterbury/Hurricanes/Te Rārawa)
7. Billy Harmon (Canterbury/ Highlanders/Ngāi Tahu)
8. Cullen Grace (Canterbury/Crusaders/Ngāti Whakaue/Ngāti Raukawa)
9. TJ Perenara© - Kāpene Paheko (Wellington/Hurricanes/Ngāti Rangitihi)
10. Josh Ioane (Otago/Chiefs/Te Rārawa)
11. Connor Garden-Bachop (Wellington/Highlanders/Ngāti Awa)
12. Alex Nankivell (Tasman/Chiefs/Ngāti Pikiao)
13. Bailyn Sullivan (Waikato/Hurricanes/Ngāti Kahungunu)
14. Shaun Stevenson (North Harbour/Chiefs/Ngāpuhi)
15. Josh Moorby (Northland/Hurricanes/Ngāti Maniapoto)
16. Leni Apisai (Auckland/Ngāti Awa)
17. Tamaiti Williams (Canterbury/Crusaders/Ngāpuhi)
18. Marcel Renata (Auckland/Blues/Ngāti Whānaunga/Ngāi Takoto)
19. Max Hicks (Tasman/Highlanders/Ngāti Ranginui/Ngāi te Rangi)
20. Caleb Delany (Wellington/Hurricanes/Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
21. Brad Weber© - Kāpene Paheko (Hawkes Bay/Chiefs/Ngāti Porou)
22. Ruben Love (Wellington/Hurricanes/Te Atiawa)
23. Billy Proctor (Wellington/Hurricanes/Ngāi te Rangi/Ngāpuhi)