Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas
The Māori All Blacks will play 3 games on the other side of the Pacific this year. The first game is against the USA as part of a triple header; then Brazil; followed by Chile. It's time to preview the tour and have a look at the possible squad.
The when and where of the tour
This year's fixtures are:
Sunday, 4 November 2018, k/o 12.00pm NZT (6.00pm local time): v USA at Soldier Field in Chicago; Sunday, 11 November 2018, k/o 11.00am NZT (7.00pm local time): v Brazil at Estádio do Morumbi in São Paulo; Sunday, 18 November 2018, k/o 8.00am NZT (4.00pm local time)*: v Chile at San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium in Santiago.
*venues and kick-off times as provided on the hosts' websites; local times on the previous day.
EstádioCícero Pompeu de Toledo (the official name of Estádio do Morumbi) is the biggest private stadium in Brazil with an official capacity of 72,809, but often not more than 62,000 tickets are available for sale.
San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium in Santiago, Chile, is a small football stadium with a capacity of just over 14,000 seats (although some sites give a number of 18,000).
How to watch
According to Brasil Rugby, the game against Brazil will be broadcast in New Zealand by Sky Sport and livestreamed on the allblacks tv website for viewers from New Zealand and other specific countries. It will also be livestreamed on Twitter (with Portuguese commentary) via the @brasilrugby account. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) hasn't provided any broadcast information, but presumably the games against the USA and Chile will also be broadcast by Sky TV in New Zealand and livestreamed by allblacks tv.
Chicago
The game against the USA on 4 November is part of a triple header. The first test of the day will be a re-match of last year's Women's Rugby World Cup semi-final between the Black Ferns and the USA Eagles' women's team. This game kicks off at 6.00am NZT (12.00pm the previous day in local time) and is followed by a test match between Ireland and Italy, which starts at 9.00am NZT (3.00pm local time). The Māori All Blacks will take on the USA Eagles' men in the final game of the day.
This will be the fifth time the Māori All Blacks play the USA, having won all four previous matches: in Calgary in 2004 (69 - 31), in Santa Clara in 2006 (74 - 6), in Philadelphia in 2013 (29 - 19) and in Chicago in 2016 (54-7).
South America
This tour will be the second time that the Māori All Blacks visit South America. In 1988, they played in Argentina and defeated Rosário by 88 - 12 and a Tucumán selection by 12 to 3. The Māori Al Blacks have played against one South American national team before: they beat Argentina 39 - 17 in 1997 (Napier) and 43 - 24 in 2001 (Rotorua).
The benefit of this tour to Brazil and Chile is obvious. The CEOs of both national unions have emphasised the importance of these games for the development and growth of rugby in their respective countries. Also the USA will use the occasion of the triple header to grow the game in the States. While playing the USA is no doubt good for NZR's coffers, you have to wonder what they get out of playing Brazil and Chile. The USA have improved the last 2 years and strong opposition can be expected on 4 November, but the Māori All Blacks will probably steamroll both South American opponents. These games won't offer much in terms of player development, at least not from a rugby point of view.
In their media release, NZR highlights the importance of this tour for developing a relationship with South America and, from a Māori perspective, connecting with indigenous communities in this region. After every Māori All Blacks tour, players rave about the cultural experience they've had; about connecting with their own heritage. No doubt, it won't be different this year. Tradition and celebration of Māori culture, it's an important reason why we still have a Māori All Blacks team to begin with. If NZR's only reason was the (rugby) development of players, we'd have tours of the Junior All Blacks instead. The question is, however, how much entertainment will these two matches provide New Zealand viewers if the Māori All Blacks simply crush their Brazilian and Chilean opponents? Or am I underestimating the South Americans?
Māori All Blacks games and performances (2012-2017)
The Māori All Blacks have played 15 games in the 2012-2017 period. The list of opponents includes international sides (Canada 3x, USA 2x, Japan 2x, Fiji), invitational teams (RFU Championship XV, NZ Barbarians, French Barbarians), European club teams (Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, Munster) and the British & Irish Lions. Of these 15 games, they have won 10 and lost five: in 2012 against Leicester Tigers, in 2015 against NZ Barbarians, in 2016 against Munster, and in 2017 against the British & Irish Lions and the French Barbarians. Two of their wins were close: the first of the two games against Japan in 2014 (18 - 20) and the game against Fiji in 2015 (26 - 27). A loss against the B&I Lions was to be expected, but the loss against the French Barbarians was disappointing, to say the least.
To be fair, it should be noted that the Māori All Blacks usually don't have much more than a week to prepare together for their games.
The 2018 Māori All Blacks coaching staff
Māori All Blacks (and Bay of Plenty) Head Coach Clayton McMillan will have two new assistant coaches for this tour: Roger Randle (Waikato Assistant Coach) and Joe Maddock (Canterbury Head Coach). This coaching group was also in charge of the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians against the British & Irish Lions in 2017.
The 2018 Māori All Blacks squad
The team selections have raised some eyebrows the last few years, particularly last year. No disrespect intended, but some players were unknown - at least outside their own province (Keepa Mewett is an example), or had not played much in New Zealand (e.g., Tyrel Lomax); and some positions were over- or underrepresented (in November 2017, the squad included five midfielders and two outside backs, forcing players to play out of position). It's arguable that better alternatives were available in some positions as well.
However, looking at the player pool this year, it becomes clear that the number of Māori players who are available in some positions is quite low and makes selection difficult (e.g., LH prop, hooker and first five-eighth). One of the reasons is the number of players who are currently playing overseas, including several players on short-term stints in Japan.
Capped players (2012-2017), who are not/no longer available
LH PROPS
Jacob Ellison - retired Kane Hames - injured Josh Hohneck - Gloucester Joe Moody - All Blacks Ross Wright - Northland/injured?
TH PROPS
Ben Afeaki - retired Nick Barrett - retired Brendon Edmonds - retired/injured (also LH) Mike Kainga - unknown (is in NZ but not playing) Bronson Murray (also LH) - retired
HOOKERS
Ash Dixon - injured Hika Elliott - Nevers Quentin MacDonald - Oyonnax Liam Polwart - BoP/injured? Codie Taylor - All Blacks
LOCKS
Jarrad Hoeata - Taranaki/suspended Jason Eaton - retired Tom Franklin - Kobe Kobelco Steelers Romana Graham - unknown (not retained by La Rochelle, May 2017) Luke Katene - unknown Keepa Mewett - NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes Jacob Skeen - Ricoh Black Rams Blade Thomson - Scarlets (also plays 6/8) Hayden Triggs - retired Joe Wheeler - Suntory Sungoliath
LOOSE FORWARDS
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis - Mitsubishi Dynaboars Luke Braid - Bordeaux Shane Christie - retired Eliott Dixon - Ricoh Black Rams Joe Edwards - Provence Sam Henwood - injured Liam Messam - Toulon Sean Polwart - retired Dan Pryor - Sanix Blues Liam Squire - All Blacks/injured Blade Thompson - Scarlets (also lock)
HALFBACKS
Jamison Gibson-Park - Leinster Billy Guyton - retired Tawera Kerr-Barlow - La Rochelle Chris Smylie - unknown/retired? Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi - All Blacks Frae Wilson - retired/club rugby?
FIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS
Tim Bateman - Ricoh Black Rams (also midfield) Damian McKenzie - All Blacks (also fullback) Marty McKenzie - injured Willie Ripia - unknown/retired? Ihaia West - La Rochelle
MIDFIELDERS
Tim Bateman - Ricoh Black Rams (also first five-eighth) Jason Emery - Sanix Blues Charlie Ngatai - Lyon Sean Wainui - Taranaki/injured (also wing) Jackson Willison - Bath
OUTSIDE BACKS
Kurt Baker - AB7s Ambrose Curtis - Wasps Zac Guildford - Nevers Rieko Ioane - All Blacks James Lowe - Leinster Damian McKenzie - All Blacks (also first five-eighth) Kade Poki - Anglet Olympique (Fédérale 1, France) Codey Rei - Kamaishi Seawaves (Japan) Robbie Robinson - Ricoh Black Rams Andre Taylor - Sanix Blues Sean Wainui - Taranaki/injured (also midfield) Joe Webber - AB7s
Who may or should be picked for the 2018 touring squad?
Looking at the list above, a lot of players from previous (recent) squads are unavailable for the 2018 tour. While it's not a given that previously capped players will be named in the squad again, their experience will be useful in the presence of - possibly - a considerable group of players making their debut.
Also necessary to keep in mind is that some players of the squad may not be available for the first match in Chicago. That will depend on whether any players named in the extended 51-man All Blacks squad for the match against Japan will also be selected for the Māori All Blacks. The All Blacks' test against Japan is only hours before the Māori All Blacks' game against the USA.
The list below starts with the previously capped (and available) players in each position, followed by other possible candidates for this year's tour. The net has been cast quite wide and the list includes a few very young players and players without Super Rugby experience, just to give them some thought, although this tour will probably come too soon for most of them or will be a level too high for some. Players are listed in alphabetical order. It's obvious, in some positions there's an abundance of choice, while we don't have many options in other positions.
Caveat: some players may have been left out (or included) - correctly or incorrectly - because of lack of information about their Māori lineage (genealogy).
Squad size in 2016: 26 players (of which 16 forwards and 10 backs); in 2017: 27 (of which 15 forwards and 12 backs.
PROPS (number of spots: 5 (2016 and 2017))
LH - capped Chris Eves (North Harbour)
LH -other candidates ?
TH - capped
Tyrel Lomax (Tasman) - named in extended All Blacks squad
Ben May (Hawke's Bay) - also LH
Marcel Renata (Auckland)
TH - other candidates Sean Paranihi (Manawatu) - was a late addition to last year's squad, but did not play Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hawke's Bay) - spent time in camp last year, but did not play Coree Te Whata-Colley (Counties Manukau)
My picks: Chris Eves, Tyrel Lomax, Ben May, Sean Paranihi, Marcel Renata.
HOOKERS (number of spots: 2 (2017) or 3 (2016))
capped Leni Apisai (Wellington - currently playing for their development team) Joe Royal (Counties Manukau)
other candidates Kianu Kereru-Symes (Hawke's Bay) Jesse MacDonald (Southland)
**My picks: **Kianu Kereru-Symes and Joe Royal. Third hooker? I'm not keen on picking Apisai or MacDonald. Maybe the selectors will include another prop who can play hooker? That could be Pouri Rakete-Stones. Or they should convince Corey Flynn to wipe the dust off his boots.
LOCKS (number of sports: 3 (2016) or 4 (2017)
capped Nick Croswell (Manawatu) Jackson Hemopo (Manawatu) - named in extended All Blacks squad Leighton Price (Taranaki)
other candidates Matiaha Martin (Counties Manukau) Paripari Parkinson (Tasman) Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Southland) - injury status TBC Isaia Walker-Leawere (Wellington)
unavailable due to injury: Fin Hoeata (Taranaki)
My picks: Jackson Hemopo, Paripari Parkinson, Leighton Price, and Manaaki Selby-Rickit or Isaia Walker-Leawere.
LOOSE FORWARDS (number of spots: 4 (2016 and 2017)
capped Mitchell Crosswell (Taranaki) Whetu Douglas (Canterbury) Akira Ioane (Auckland) Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty) Jordan Manihera (Waikato) Reed Prinsep (Canterbury) Kara Pryor (Northland)
other candidates Antonio Kiri (Manawatu) Hoani Matenga (Bay of Plenty) Jesse Parete (Taranaki) Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa (Auckland) Thomas Waldrom (Wellington)
My picks: Whetu Douglas, Reed Prinsep, Kara Pryor and Akira Ioane.
HALFBACKS (number of spots: 2 (2016) or 3 (2017))
capped Bryn Hall (North Harbour) - named in extended All Blacks squad Jonathan Ruru (Auckland) Brad Weber (Hawke's Bay)
other candidates Ereatara Enari (Canterbury) Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Wellington) Sam Nock (Northland)
My picks: Bryn Hall, Jonathan Ruru and Brad Weber.
FIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS (number of spots: 2 (2016 and 2017))
capped Otere Black (Manawatu) Jackson Garden-Bachop (Wellington)
other candidates Lincoln McClutchie (Hawke's Bay) Jade Te Rure (Manawatu)
unavailable due to injury: Tiaan Falcon (Hawke's Bay)
My picks: Otere Black, Jackson Garden-Bachop (the latter only because Falcon is injured and it may be too soon for McClutchie)
MIDFIELDERS (number of spots: 3 (2016 and 2017)
capped
Teihorangi Walden (Otago)
Matt Proctor (Wellington) - also outside back; named in extended All Blacks squad
Rob Thompson (Manawatu)
other candidates Terrence Hepetema (Bay of Plenty) Ngani Laumape (Manawatu) - named in extended All Blacks squad Orbyn Leger (Counties Manukau) Billy Proctor (Wellington) Tamati Tua (Northland) Quinn Tupaea (Waikato)
My picks: Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor and Rob Thompson, with Teihorangi Walden as an extra player.
OUTSIDE BACKS (number of spots: 2 (2016) or 4 (2017))
capped Nehe Milner-Skudder (Manawatu) - named in extended All Blacks squad Declan O'Donnell (Waikato) Trent Renata (Wellington) Shaun Stevenson (North Harbour)
other candidates Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay) - also midfield Caleb Makene (Canterbury) - can cover 10 Bailyn Sullivan (Waikato) Isaac Te Tamaki (Southland) Beaudein Waaka (Taranaki) - can cover 10 Regan Ware (Taranaki) Matt Wright (Northland)
My picks: Jonah Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Shaun Stevenson and Beaudein Waaka.
My Squad:
Chris Eves, Ben May, Tyrel Lomax, Sean Paranihi and Marcel Renata Kianu Kereru-Symes and Joe Royal Jackson Hemopo, Paripari Parkinson, Leighton Price, and Manaaki Selby-Rickit or Isaia Walker-Leawere Whetu Douglas, Reed Prinsep, Kara Pryor and Akira Ioane Bryn Hall, Jonathan Ruru and Brad Weber Otere Black and Jackson Garden-Bachop Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Rob Thompson and Teihorangi Walden Jonah Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Shaun Stevenson and Beaudein Waaka
Nice one Stargazer, good read.
Your mention of their previous tours trigger my memory that the 1988 tour match v Tucuman was an absolute cage fight, almost literally as they played in the fenced in soccer stadium.
Reading on the T2 website, The choice of the Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo was a bit of a strange choice. It is the great old stadium of that city but is old and has a track around it and is a poor stadium from spectators POV, but it is big so the Baziilian rugby union is being ambitious with this match. The city has 2 new modern rectangular soccer stadiums but one is being used for a concert on the same day.
The 51 man AB squad is going to play absolute havoc with picking this squad.
The only mildly difficult game for them would be the first match which coincides with those extra 18 AB call-ups. I think the selectors will totally rule them out for the entire tour. Surely it would be too disruptive?
It would probably be for the best that it is a weakened tour party anyway for the South American leg.
Hori Kingi Tupaea - Wikipedia
@duluth Yes, the Māori All Blacks' hookers have been Ash Dixon and Joe Royal for years. Last year, they picked Liam Polwart instead of Royal. Now, both Dixon and Polwart are injured. With Dixon and Royal aging, it had to happen at some point that a new hooker would have to be introduced (in addition to Polwart). I never expected that it might be a 19-year-old, who was still playing for (and captaining) his 1st XV team just over a year ago. It's a big step from Hastings Boys 1st XV to the Māori All Blacks. At least, I hope they pick Kereru-Symes, who has shown a lot of class, replacing Dixon as the first choice hooker of the Mapgies in only his second NPC game, and not one of the other (very average) hookers. MacDonald was only an injury replacement for Southland (he was initially named in the Tasman Development squad) and Apisai also can't crack the Wellington squad anymore. Picking a prop to play hooker also doesn't appeal (not that there are many props to choose from).
It will be interesting to see who will be picked.
@rapido said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
Quinn Tupaea
He's Tainui according to this page:
http://www.hbhs.school.nz/News/2017-M-ori-and-Pasifika-Awards-Evening
@stargazer I think Ross Wright was looking like being fit this weekend (or next if we made it that far) well thats what I heard anyway.
He is probably one, if fit, who is good enough to play hooker and prop (played both positions at M10 & Super) if required
@nepia Cheers, he was one of the players of whom I thought he's Māori, but couldn't find any info. It won't change my picks, but I'll add him.
@taniwharugby How long has he been out of action for? I can't remember when he last played.
Here's a shot as a best XV if all players were available ... may have missed some. The halfback depth is crazy. The lock depth is not. Neither is openside. Hopefully Hames can play tighthead?
Dagg
NMS
Proctor
Laumape
Ioane
DMac
Smith
Ioane
Pryor
Squire
Pari Pari Parkinson
Hemopo
Hames
Coles/Taylor
Moody
@stargazer said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@nepia Yeah, thought he was Tongan.
He's both.
Edit: The link on his Wiki page for his Tongan descent is actually a link to his Maori descent. Strange no one has fixed that.
@nepia said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@stargazer said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@nepia Yeah, thought he was Tongan.
He's both.
1/16th bro!
@nepia I can fix that if I can find my password somewhere. I'd only have to add the words "and Māori".
@mariner4life said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@nepia said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@stargazer said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@nepia Yeah, thought he was Tongan.
He's both.
1/16th bro!
No need for blood quantum, we're not the US or Canada. Just dead ancestors man.
@muddyriver Henwood has been out for a long time with concussion symptoms. He has been training, but still not cleared to play last weekend. That's why he's on the "capped but unavailable" list.
This my attempt at a squad without any of the 51 All Blacks.
27 man squad.
Props: 5 Chris Eves, Tyrel Lomax, Ben May, Sean Paranihi, Marcel Renata.
Hooker: 3 Kianu Kereru-Symes, Joe Royal, Leni Apisai
Lock: 3 Paripari Parkinson, Leighton Price, Isaia Walker-Leawere.
Loose-Forward: 5 Whetu Douglas, Reed Prinsep, Kara Pryor, Akira Ioane, Tanerau Latimer
Halfback: 3 Bryn Hall, Jonathan Ruru, Brad Weber
First-Five: 2 Otere Black, Jackson Garden-Bachop
Midfield: 3 Teihorangi Walden, Rob Thompson, Quinn Tupaea
Back 3: 3 Jonah Lowe, Shaun Stevenson, Caleb Makene
It's actually quite difficult covering that back 3.
So I think they might split the squad and get NMS and Matt Procter in there somehow as gives them versatility. But then I have only named 11 backs in that squad so if you had 2 in Japan for 1 week that would leave only 2 backs reserves for week 1. So that approach wouldn't work in the 16-11 split I went with, would need to change to a 15-12.
@rapido great effort but isn't Lomax and Bryn Hall in the 51 man squad?
@stargazer said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
My latest blog post: https://www.thesilverfern.com/post/269593-maori-all-blacks-tour-to-the-americas
I have edited the text following the naming of the extended All Blacks squad for the Northern Tour. This has resulted in a few changes in my picks for the squad, which now look like this (15 forwards - 13 backs):
Chris Eves, Ben May, Tyrel Lomax, Sean Paranihi and Marcel Renata
Kianu Kereru-Symes and Joe Royal
Jackson Hemopo, Paripari Parkinson, Leighton Price, and Manaaki Selby-Rickit or Isaia Walker-Leawere
Whetu Douglas, Reed Prinsep, Kara Pryor and Akira Ioane
Bryn Hall, Jonathan Ruru and Brad Weber
Otere Black and Jackson Garden-Bachop
Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Rob Thompson and Teihorangi Walden (extra player)
Jonah Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Shaun Stevenson and Beaudein Waaka.
Looking at the unavailability of players for the USA game (in Italics), I'd prefer the naming of a bigger squad than 27. They're good for all positions, except midfield, so I have added an extra midfielder. They may add one or two more players as injury cover. If they go for a 27-man squad again, I'd have to drop Laumape or Proctor in favour of Walden.
@kiwimurph said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@rapido great effort but isn't Lomax and Bryn Hall in the 51 man squad?
Who could possibly know, it's just too big!
But if so, a 5th prop and a 3rd halfback can be quite easily covered for the first week in the split squad approach.
If not I'd punt on Hauiti-Parapara at halfback, and no real idea at prop. Stargazer has Pouri Rakete-Stones and Coree Te Whata-Colley as contenders.
@stargazer said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@stargazer said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
If they go for a 27-man squad again, I'd have to drop Laumape or Proctor in favour of Walden.
Dropping Ngani Laumape should be pretty easy as he does not appear to be Maori anyway
@higgins He was named in the NZ Māori Rugby League Tournament team in 2013, so I guess that means he's part Māori.
NZ Māori Rugby League Tournament squad named
After the final matches between the Waka and the Rohe sections, the Tournaments team was announced for the year.
Edited to add that according to a FB post about that team naming, he's Ngati Kauwhata.
https://www.facebook.com/nzmaorirugbyleague/posts/732129330137312
http://www.allblacks.com/News/33273/maori-all-blacks-squad-named-for-historic-tour
Chris Eves (Waikato / Tainui North) - Harbour
Tyrel Lomax (Ngai Tuhoe / Muaupoko) - Tasman
Ben May (Ngati Maniapoto / Waikato) - Hawke’s Bay
Marcel Renata (Ngati Whanaunga / Ngai Takoto) - Auckland
Ross Wright (Ngati Whatua / Ngati Porou) - Northland
Robbie Abel * (Ngati Wai, Waikato-Tainui, Ngati Hine) - Auckland
Ash Dixon (C) (Ngati Tahinga) - Hawke’s Bay
Jackson Hemopo (Tuhourangi / Ngati Wahiao / Ngai Tahu / Ngati Rangi / Ngati Apa ki te Ra To) - Manawatu
Pari Pari Parkinson * (Te Whanau a Apanui) - Tasman
Isaia Walker-Leawere * (Ngati Porou) - Wellington
Billy Harmon * (Ngai Tahu) - Canterbury
Akira Ioane (Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui) - Auckland
Mitchell Karpik * (Rongomaiwahine / Ngati Kahungunu) - Bay of Plenty
Hoani Matenga * (Rangitane / Te Whanau a Apanui) - Bay of Plenty
Reed Prinsep (Te Rarawa) - Canterbury
Bryn Hall (Ngati Ranginui) North Harbour
Jonathan Ruru (Ngati Kahungunu / Rongomaiwahine) - Auckland
Brad Weber (Ngati Porou) - Hawke’s Bay
Otere Black (Ngai Tuhoe / Te Whanau a Apanui / Ngati Tuwharetoa) - Manawatu
Joshua Ioane* (Te Rarawa) - Otago
Matthew Lansdown* (Te Atiawa) - Waikato
Matt Proctor (Ngai Te Rangi / Ngapuhi) - Wellington
Rob Thompson (Ngati Kahungunu / Nga Rauru) - Manawatu
Teihorangi Walden (Te Atiawa) - Taranaki
Jonah Lowe* (Ngati Pikiao) - Hawke’s Bay
Nehe Milner-Skudder (Ngati Porou / Tapuika) - Manawatu
Shaun Stevenson (Ngapuhi) - North Harbour
Travelling as a replacement for the USA leg only, is Canterbury wing Caleb Makene, of Ngapuhi descent.Huh? Ash Dixon? Is he suddenly not injured anymore? Hmm, that might be handy for the NPC finals. 
Ross Wright also off the injury list, that's good news. I'd rather have him in the squad than Paranihi.
They picked only 3 locks. Price is the unlucky one to miss out.
Aye, Karpik is Māori? Geez, an even blonder version than the McKenzies haha. Didn't know that about Abel either. That's good. Kereru-Symes is a bit too young and green anyway. His time will come. Royal is the unlucky one; I thought he had a good season.
Douglas is the unlucky loosie to miss out IMO. Kara Pryor, too. I'd never have picked Matenga, but he's from BOP, just like the coach. There had to be a home province selection somewhere. 
Karpik's selection is more justified. And they're the only two players from BOP.
I looked up Josh Ioane and couldn't find any info on him being Māori, so I thought he wasn't. Great to see him picked ahead of JGB!
Landsdown, didn't know he was Māori, but they picked him, not Laumape. Maybe they didn't know Ngani was Māori either.
Absolutely awesome to see Jonah Lowe get a spot in the squad! Hawke's Bay boy in Canterbury colours Makene as travelling reserve. He's the one that can cover 10 as well in case of injury. I think Waaka is a bit unlucky.
@stargazer yeah Abel was being discussed in another thread, he is of the wider Going clan from Northland 
Great news for Ross (and Northland) unsure on the injury status of Kara, although TBF his form hasnt been consistent this year IMO
Plenty of cross over from that squad and the wider AB's, which brings into question the decision to put Akira just here as well, something doesnt add up, which means there has got to be something more to it.
@kiwimurph said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
Billy Harmon
How did Douglas miss out? I don't get Prinsep but don't have a problem with Matenga. Actually, on Karpik if you look at his face (like the McKenzies and Tony Brown) you can see the Maori despite the blonde hair.
Hall and Weber are in the Maori team - how the fudge is Hall in the ABs as well?
Maybe they just thought Ioane was related to the other Ioanes and chucked him in anyway?
A surprisingly decent team I think.
@hooroo said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
Wow! Hoani made the team. Good for him.
You gotta have a guitar player on a Maori tour.
@nepia said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@kiwimurph said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
Billy Harmon
How did Douglas miss out? I don't get Prinsep but don't have a problem with Matenga. Actually, on Karpik if you look at his face (like the McKenzies and Tony Brown) you can see the Maori despite the blonde hair.
Hall and Weber are in the Maori team - how the fudge is Hall in the ABs as well?
Maybe they just thought Ioane was related to the other Ioanes and chucked him in anyway?
A surprisingly decent team I think.
I agree. A good mix of experience and youth. Old heads and newbies. No weird, unbalanced selections that will force players to play out of position like last year. And just as I predicted, an extra player in the squad compare to last year, which is necessary due to that overlap with the extended ABs squad for the Japan match.
@nepia said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@hooroo said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
Wow! Hoani made the team. Good for him.
You gotta have a guitar player on a Maori tour.
The lad can sing too! Incredible voice. Used to be part of Six60 I think?
@taniwharugby said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@stargazer yeah Abel was being discussed in another thread, he is of the wider Going clan from Northland
Yeah, I just read this: https://www.brumbies.com.au/2015/11/robbie-abel-signs-with-the-brumbies/
@hooroo said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@nepia said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@hooroo said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
Wow! Hoani made the team. Good for him.
You gotta have a guitar player on a Maori tour.
The lad can sing too! Incredible voice. Used to be part of Six60 I think?
Yep, that's why I made the post ... it would have been random otherwise. 
@stargazer said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@nepia said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
@kiwimurph said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
Billy Harmon
How did Douglas miss out? I don't get Prinsep but don't have a problem with Matenga. Actually, on Karpik if you look at his face (like the McKenzies and Tony Brown) you can see the Maori despite the blonde hair.
Hall and Weber are in the Maori team - how the fudge is Hall in the ABs as well?
Maybe they just thought Ioane was related to the other Ioanes and chucked him in anyway?
A surprisingly decent team I think.
I agree. A good mix of experience and youth. Old heads and newbies. No weird, unbalanced selections that will force players to play out of position like last year. And just as I predicted, an extra player in the squad compare to last year, which is necessary due to that overlap with the extended ABs squad for the Japan match.
The ABs have a lock on that this year.
@rapido said in The Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas:
Ross Wright makes that squad size selectable. Without him covering prop and hooker trying to balance the squad of 27 with 5 in Japan is a nightmare. As I found yesterday in my attempts.
that's a pretty decent skill set to have as a pro player! First since Aled de Megamunch?