Maori All Blacks name team to face Japan XV in Nagoya

The Māori All Blacks are ready to bring their trademark brand of rugby to Nagoya on Saturday, with Head Coach Tamati Ellison (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Whakaue) naming a match-day 23 eager to play with physicality, flair and purpose against the Japan XV.

Tokorima ngā tauhou kua tohua ki te 15 tuatahi. Ko Adam Lennox (Ngāti Kūia, Ngāti Raukawa), ko Reon Paul (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou), ko Tahlor Cahill (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Raukawa), ko Torian Barnes (Ngāti Whātua) rātou ko Payton Spencer (Mūaupoko, Ngāti Kahungunu) e rikarika ana ki te whakakanohi i tō rātou iwi Māori mō te wā tuatahi. Me te aha, ko te whakaingoatia te tautōhito a Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu) hei kāpene mō te kapa.

Five players will make their Māori All Blacks debut in the starting 15, with Adam Lennox, Reon Paul, Tahlor Cahill, Torian Barnes and Payton Spencer all set to earn their first caps, while experienced midfielder Bailyn Sullivan will captain the side.

Hei tā Ellison, ko Sullivan te tangata.

Māori All Blacks Head Coach Tamati Ellison said Sullivan was the right choice to lead.

“Bailyn is a player who leads through his actions on the field. He represents the style of rugby we want to play as the Māori All Blacks, fast, physical and built around the way we want to express ourselves.

“He made his debut for the Māori All Blacks in 2022 and has grown into an experienced member of this group. He has been able to learn from the leaders who have come before him, and now it's his time to step forward.”

I whakamānawa hoki a Ellison i ngā tauhou kua whakaingoatia ki te 15 mō te wā tuatahi.

Ellison also acknowledged the five debutants named in the 15.

“Pulling on the Māori All Blacks jersey for the first time is a special moment and one that Adam, Reon, Tahlor, Torian and Payton have earned through their performances and commitment. They’ve embraced everything that this environment stands for and we’re excited to see them take their opportunity on Saturday.”

Ka whakatakoto tūāpapa ngā poumua ki ngā whakataunga nekehanga, me ngā pou a Ollie Norris (Ngāpuhi), a Tyrone Thompson (Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Rangiwewehi) rātou ko Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whanaunga) hei punga ki mua. Mā te tauhou a Tahlor Cahill (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Raukawa) rāua ko Laghlan McWannell ngā poumua e whītiki, waiho mai ko Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe), Jahrome Brown (Ngāti Porou) rātou ko Torian Barnes (Ngāti Whātua) ngā pari o ngā pou e manaaki.

The forward pack will look to lay a strong platform through the set piece, with Ollie Norris, Tyrone Thompson and Marcel Renata packing down in the front row. Debutant Tahlor Cahill joins Laghlan McWhannell in the second row, while Te Kamaka Howden, Jahrome Brown and Torian Barnes complete the loose forward trio.

Ko tūhono te tauhou a Adam Lennox (Ngāti Kūia, Ngāti Raukawa) rāua ko te topatahi a Rivez Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāi Tahu) ki te tohutohu i te kapa. Mā Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu) rāua ko Xavi Taele (Ngāi Tahu) ngā topawaenga, ko Reon Paul, Cole Forbes rātou ko Peyton Spencer, te tama a te tuahangata whutupōro a Carlos Spencer ki muri.

Debutant Adam Lennox links with first five-eighth Rivez Reihana in the key playmaking roles, while Sullivan partners Xavi Taele in midfield. Debutant Reon Paul and Cole Forbes provide power and pace on the wings, with debutant Payton Spencer, son of former NZ Māori and All Black Carlos Spencer, also named.

Hei tā Ellison, e hikaka ana te kapa ki te mau i te kahu Māori me te whakakaha anō i te taura tangata ki waenga i a rātou.

Ellison said the squad was eager to represent the jersey and continue building combinations.

“There’s been great energy throughout the week. The players have embraced the challenge, connected strongly as a group and prepared well for what we know will be a committed Japan XV side.

“When people watch the Māori All Blacks, they expect us to play with intent. We want to be fast, physical, move the ball, back our skills and play an exciting brand of rugby that reflects who we are.

“We want play with the flair and ambition that people expect from the Māori All Blacks and the opportunity to represent our people and our culture is something this group is incredibly proud of.”

Kua kapi hoki te paehihiri ki a wheako rau mā e rite ana ki te hāpai ake i ngā mahi o mua, o muri anō hoki me te whakatutuki i tā ngā kaiako i whakatau ai me tā te tīma i whakaū ai.

The bench features experienced impact across the forwards and backs, giving the coaching group plenty of options to maintain pressure and finish strongly.

Te Kapa Māori v Hapani XV
Māori All Blacks v Japan XV
1.    Ollie Norris (Ngāpuhi)
2.    Tyrone Thompson (Ngaii Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Rangiwewehi)
3.    Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whanaunga)
4.    Laghlan McWhannell (Ngāti Kahungunu)
5.    Tahlor Cahill* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Raukawa)
6.    Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe)
7.    Jahrome Brown (Ngāti Porou)
8.    Torian Barnes* (Ngāti Whātua)
9.    Adam Lennox* (Ngāti Kūia, Ngāti Raukawa)
10.    Rivez Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine)
11.    Reon Paul* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou)
12.    Xavi Taele (Ngāi Tahu)
13.    Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu) - captain
14.    Payton Spencer* (Ngāti Kahungunu, Mūaupoko)
15.    Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa)

16.    Jacob Devery (Te Aitanga a Mahaki)
17.    Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi)
18.    Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi)
19.    Caleb Delany (Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
20.    Nikora Broughton (Ngārauru, Ngāti Ruanui)
21.    Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi)
22.    Taha Kemara (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea)
23.    Kyle Brown* (Waikato)