Māori All Blacks to play Ireland
NZR and the IRFU have confirmed the dates for the July Steinlager Series between Ireland and the All Blacks: the tests will be played on Saturday 2 July (Auckland), 9 July (Dunedin) and 16 July (Wellington) 2022.
Ireland will, however, come to New Zealand with an expanded squad and play two additional mid-week matches against the Māori All Blacks. The first of these two matches will be played on Wednesday 29 June 2022 at 7.05pm in Hamilton and the second on Tuesday 12 July 2022 at 7.05pm in Wellington.
You can find the link to the announcement of this year's Māori All Blacks matches here.
2022 Māori All Blacks coaching staff
The Māori All Blacks Head Coach will again be Clayton McMillan. Last year's assistant coaches were Roger Randle and Chris Gibbes. It hasn't been confirmed yet whether they'll again be part of McMillan's coaching staff in 2022.
The 2022 Māori All Blacks squad
Squad size
The squad will likely consist of 25 or 26 players (14/15 forwards and 11 backs).
Māori All Blacks contenders
For making the list of Māori All Blacks contenders, I've taken last year's Māori All Blacks squad as a starting point (including later additions/replacements); looked at which players are still playing and available (in New Zealand and not injured) and new players who may be eligible.
List legend:
- Normal font: last year's squad (originally named & later call-ups)
- Strikethrough: players no longer available
- Italics: players capped before 2021
- Between brackets: not or no longer playing Super Rugby
- ^symbol: possible new cap (playing Super Rugby and/or NPC)
LH props: Pouri Rakete-Stones; Tamaiti Williams; Ollie Norris; (Ross Wright).
TH props: Josh Hohneck; Marcel Renata; Ben May; ^Jermaine Ainsley.
Hookers:
Ash Dixon (captain);
Kurt Eklund;
Leni Apisai;
(Nathan Harris);
Joe Royal;
^Tyrone Thompson;
^Kianu Kereru-Symes;
if eligible: ^Ricky Jackson.
Locks: Isaia Walker-Leawere; Manaaki Selby-Rickit; Pari Pari Parkinson (is currently injured); Josh Dickson; Caleb Delany (was in training squad); if eligible: ^Zach Gallagher.
Loose forwards:
Whetukamokamo Douglas (6/8);
Billy Harmon (7);
Reed Prinsep (6/8);
Jacob Norris;
^TK Howden.
Halfbacks: Bryn Hall; Sam Nock; Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi; ^Cortez Ratima; if still eligible: ^Ereatara Enari.
First five-eighths
Otere Black;
Josh Ioane;
Jackson Garden-Bachop;
^Ruben Love;
^Lincoln McClutchie;
^Rivez Reihana.
Midfielders: Quinn Tupaea (before ABs call-up); Billy Proctor; Rameka Poihipi (replacement Tupaea); Alex Nankivell; Teihorangi Walden; ^Bailyn Sullivan.
Outside backs
Jonah Lowe;
Kaleb Trask (15, also 10);
Shaun Stevenson;
Sean Wainui;
(Mathew Skipwith-Garland);
(Jordan Hyland retired?);
(Nehe Milner-Skudder);
^Zarn Sullivan (15/10);
^Connor Garden-Bachop.
Players not included
Not included are players who are likely to be unavailable due to being named in the All Blacks squad: Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Tyrel Lomax, Aaron Smith, Akira and Rieko Ioane. Joe Moody is injured. Less certain are players whose All Blacks spots might be under pressure: TJ Perenara, Brad Weber and Quinn Tupaea.
If he has returned to New Zealand and has signed with NZR, but isn't in the All Blacks squad, Damian McKenzie could be picked for the Māori All Blacks, depending on whether he's considered elegible (he might play some club rugby to pass that barrier, but if last year's example of TJ Perenara is followed, that won't be enough for the July Series).
Cross-over selections
Some of these players may cross-over between All Blacks and Māori All Blacks, and vice versa. For example, players who don't make the All Blacks' 23 for the first test match, may play in the first Māori All Blacks game. The most likely candidates for that are Dane Coles/Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax and both Perenara and Weber (whoever makes the All Blacks, but isn't in the match day 23).
Stargazer's squad prediction (not to be confused with preference):
Props (5): Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris, Marcel Renata, Jermaine Ainsley
Hookers (2): Kurt Eklund, Tyrone Thompson
Locks (4): Isaia Walker-Leawere, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Josh Dickson, Caleb Delany
Loosies (3): Billy Harmon, Reed Prinsep, TK Howden. If they pick four: Jacob Norris
Halfbacks (2): Bryn Hall, Cortez Ratima. If Perenara or Weber drops out of the All Blacks, this player will likely take Ratima's spot. I can't see them both miss out on All Blacks selection.
First five-eighth (2): Josh Ioane and ... Damian McKenzie? If not McKenzie: they could move Zarn Sullivan to 10 or include Ruben Love.
Midfield backs (3): Billy Proctor, Alex Nankivell, Bailyn Sullivan. Proctor to drop out if Tupaea doesn't make the ABs.
Outside backs (4): Jonah Lowe, Shaun Stevenson, Connor Garden-Bachop, Zarn Sullivan. If Sullivan is moved to 10: include Love (but they may pick Trask).
Unluckiest to miss out: Rameka Poihipi, but if Quinn Tupaea and/or Bailyn Sullivan make the All Blacks, he'll probably still get the call-up.
Captain: if one of them is in the squad, it's likely to be TJ Perenara or Brad Weber. If they're both not in the squad, expect Prinsep to be named captain.
I'll update the introduction to this article as soon as more information becomes available.
The dates of Ireland’s summer Test series against the All Blacks have been confirmed with Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington set to each host a game. Two separate tour matches, expected to be against the New Zealand Maori, are to be announced at a later date.
Dates confirmed for Ireland’s July Test series in New Zealand
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Ireland to play the All Blacks in Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington in early July
@Dan54 said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
Anyone else notice that All Blacks site is now saying coming soon MABs vs Ireland????
When I was buying tickets for the Auckland test last week there was a graphic with no live link for the Māori game(s).
Should be able to put out a reasonable team if everyone is available. Something like:
1.Ollie Norris
2.Kurt Eklund
3.Jermaine Ainsley
4.Isaia Walker-Leawere
5.Manaaki Selby-Rickitt
6.Luke Jacobson/Caleb Delany
7.Billy Harmon
8.Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
9.TJ Perenara/Brad Weber/Cortez Ratima
10.Stephen Perofeta
11.Shaun Stevenson
12.Quinn Tupaea/Alex Nankivell
13.Bailyn Sullivan
14.Jonah Lowe
15.Zarn Sullivan
16.Tyrone Thompson
17.Pouri Rakete-Stones/Tamaiti Williams/Atu Moli
18.Tyrel Lomax
19.Josh Dickson
20.Tyler Laubscher
21.Cortez Ratima/Bryn Hall
22.Josh Ioane
23.Billy Proctor
@bobily2 You've included quite a few non-Māori players in that squad.
I'll publish an article on the Fern's home page soon with the contenders.
@Stargazer said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
@bobily2 You've included quite a few non-Māori players in that squad.
I'll publish an article on the Fern's home page soon with the contenders.
Doesn't surprise me, I'm not at my best today.
I think it's just Perofeta and MMT that are ineligible? Perhaps Moli?
Edit: Maybe Laubscher too. Google was tricking me by bringing up a Maori All Blacks story combined with another about Manawatu players on development contracts.
@bobily2 said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
@Stargazer said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
@bobily2 You've included quite a few non-Māori players in that squad.
I'll publish an article on the Fern's home page soon with the contenders.
Doesn't surprise me, I'm not at my best today.
I think it's just Perofeta and MMT that are ineligible? Perhaps Moli?
Isn't Laubscher a Saffa? Would Ainsley be eligible considering he's a Wallaby? I don't think Jacobsen is Maori either.
Also, if it's everyone available then Coles and Taylor are probably the two hookers chosen.
@bobily2 As I said, I'll publish an article with the contenders soon. Laubscher is South African.
@Nepia said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
Also, if it's everyone available then Coles and Taylor are probably the two hookers chosen.
They will be midweek games so likely no ABs involved, unless some squadies are released.
If Ainsley is now eligible for the ABs I suppose he is.
Definitely no to Jacobson.
@Bovidae said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
@Nepia said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
Also, if it's everyone available then Coles and Taylor are probably the two hookers chosen.
They will be midweek games so likely no ABs involved, unless some squadies are released.
If Ainsley is now eligible for the ABs I suppose he is.
Definitely no to Jacobson.
Boo. Still @bobily2 did say if everyone was available so I was just going off that. 
There was a bit of an Ioane sized hole in that lineup I didn't even pick up on if that was the case.
@Bovidae said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
@Nepia Maybe DMac is back in time to play.
I didn't even realise he was coming back so soon. Good chance to get him back into NZ rugby and see how his form is.
@Bovidae If he's considered eligible without playing games in NZ first. TJP wasn't considered for the July Series, last year. Or are there different rules for ABs and MABs?
Edit: and obviously needs to sign a contract with NZR, too.
@Stargazer I was assuming he would have done all that. I honestly don't know what the latest is with DMac and his contract negotiations, other than he will be returning after the Japanese Top League has finished. Happy for him to play for Waikato too. 
@Nepia said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
@Bovidae said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
@Nepia said in Maori All Blacks vs Ireland?:
Also, if it's everyone available then Coles and Taylor are probably the two hookers chosen.
They will be midweek games so likely no ABs involved, unless some squadies are released.
If Ainsley is now eligible for the ABs I suppose he is.
Definitely no to Jacobson.
Boo. Still @bobily2 did say if everyone was available so I was just going off that.
There was a bit of an Ioane sized hole in that lineup I didn't even pick up on if that was the case.
... Smith ...
Posted on the Fern's home page: article with list of contenders.
https://www.thesilverfern.com/post/undefined-maori-all-blacks-to-play-ireland
@Bovidae You'd think so, except that last year they initially only named 3 loosies (Prinsep, Harmon, Douglas), then later called up J Norris, who was named on the bench for the first game against Samoa, but left out of the second, when they gave Josh Dickson the 20 jersey. This move from Dickson from 19 to 20 was due to Parkinson returning into the squad. So they preferred Dickson as a reserve loosie over Jacob Norris.
@Bovidae You'd hope they name a squad of at least 26 players, so there's room for at least 4 loosies. Whether they pick a reserve that covers 6/8 or 7 will probably depend on the quality of the eligible players that are available. There may be more eligible players than we're aware of. Who knows, they may suddenly discover that Adrian Choat or Blake Gibson have Māori ancestry! 
@Bones Technically, he doesn't play in NZ anymore, does he? It's a bit unclear now, as he may return to play for the Mako. Anyway, there's a chance he may be picked to play for Fiji. Agree he would be a good option for the Māori All Blacks though.
@cgrant Yes. I found his name here: https://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/images/MRU_Squad_Notice.pdf
and this article seems to imply it, too:
Super Rugby Pacific squads announced
The inaugural Super Rugby Pasifika squads have been confirmed today, with a number of players moving franchises in 2022, stars returning from overseas...
@Bones said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:
Cirikidaveta?
Mom in tears after Cirikidaveta met dad for first time
Te Araroa raised Fijian Drua star meets his father for the first time...
29K views, 1.1K likes, 479 loves, 36 comments, 102 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Te Karere: Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta waited 24 years to meet his father but was reunited with him in Suva before...
@Higgins said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:
@Bones Just showing that he is Maori eligible.
Oh! Yeah I already knew that.
@Higgins Yeah, that's been long known, but as I said in my reply to Bones, he's technically playing outside NZ, which could make him ineligible, just like playing for any other team outside NZ does. The only thing that could possibly help him is his Mako contract.
Or he could play for Fiji.
Confirmed:
Māori All Blacks to play two-match series against Ireland
The Māori All Blacks will play Ireland in two mid-week matches in Hamilton and Wellington this July New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced today.
The Māori All Blacks will play Ireland in two mid-week matches in Hamilton and Wellington this July New Zealand Rugby (NZR) announced today.
The first match will be at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Wednesday 29 June at 7.05pm with the second at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Tuesday 12 July at 7.05pm. Both matches will be live and exclusive on SKY.
Ireland will bring an expanded squad to cater for the two mid-week matches which will be in addition to the three Test Steinlager Series against the All Blacks.
The Māori All Blacks have played Ireland on two previous occasions, the most famous being the New Zealand Natives 13-4 win at Landsdowne Road in Dublin in 1888. The only other match between the two sides was in 2010 at Rotorua International Stadium where the Māori All Blacks won a thrilling match 31-28.
McMillan is still the head coach:
McMillan will name his squad for the series next month including a new captain after respected hooker Ash Dixon’s departure for Japan last year after leading the team to a two-match series win over Manu Samoa.
Good they have confirmed it as they been advertising corporate boxes etc for last week or so. Personally think it's great and trying to decide whether to go up to Hamilton for game, or down to Wellington where I got tickets for test, and perhaps have a holiday in Waiarapa for a couple of days.
So the first game is before the 1st test, and the second game between the 2nd and 3rd tests.
I thought they might play a game in Rotorua but it's not a great venue for a night game. That 2010 game against Ireland was good fun to be at though.
@Stargazer Like Napier? I agree, and they could have played the July 12 game there, but obviously Ireland probably prefer to be based in Wellington for the entire week.
@Bovidae 2010 Maori abs is when I first took real notice of Aaron Smith , I thought geez that lad out of manawatu is going to be a star for the canes! wasn't to be tho as Hammett opted for Tyson Keats
@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:
So the first game is before the 1st test, and the second game between the 2nd and 3rd tests.
I thought they might play a game in Rotorua but it's not a great venue for a night game. That 2010 game against Ireland was good fun to be at though.
@Stargazer Like Napier? I agree, and they could have played the July 12 game there, but obviously Ireland probably prefer to be based in Wellington for the entire week.
Rotorua is out of action for the season. Resurfacing or something that has had covid delays
@FakatavaFuture said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:
@Bovidae 2010 Maori abs is when I first took real notice of Aaron Smith , I thought geez that lad out of manawatu is going to be a star for the canes! wasn't to be tho as Hammett opted for Tyson Keats
That almost sums up the Hammatuer perfectly
Didn't realise it when I posted that, but I see the first game of 29 June is on the same day as the first Heartland Ranfurly Shield game. That would have been a perferct opportunity for McLean Park to have both games. The Ranfurly Shield game as the curtain-raiser, say at 6.00pm, and then the Māori ABs at the main event at 8.15pm.
@Stargazer I would imagine the locations were chosen in consultation with Ireland for minimal disruption for the test week preparations - i.e. the Hamilton game is in the leadup to the Eden Park test and the Wellington game in the leadup to the Wellington test.
@KiwiMurph You may be right, although it's only a one-hour flight. Just hoping they move that Ranfurly Shield game now. Attendance at mid-week games, esp against opposition like Heartland teams, is usually already lower, but if the game is at the same time, or on the afternoon of the Māori All Blacks game, they can forget having even a small crowd at McLean Park.
The Ranfurly Shield game was planned for a Wednesday, because we have so many SR players now that most players for that RS game will have to come from club rugby, so they can't play the game on a Saturday.