Māori All Blacks to play Fiji
The Māori All Blacks will play 2 games against Fiji in July. The first game will be played on Saturday, 13 July in Suva (kick-off 3.00pm NZT), and the second on Saturday, 20 July in Rotorua (kick-off 7.35pm). Before the Rotorua game, there will be a curtain raiser between NZ Māori U20 and Fiji U20 (kick-off 5.00pm).
2019 Māori All Blacks coaching staff
Māori All Blacks Head Coach is once again Clayton McMillan (Bay of Plenty). Presumably there is also no change in the rest of the coaching set-up that was in place for the tour to the USA, Brazil and Chile in November 2018. Roger Randle (Waikato Assistant Coach) and Joe Maddock (Canterbury Head Coach) assisted McMillan during that tour. This coaching group was also in charge of the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians against the British & Irish Lions in 2017.
The 2019 Māori All Blacks squad
As noted in my blog post about the Māori All Blacks' tour to the Americas, in previous years there was quite a bit of criticism of the selection of the squad. The squad of 2018 looked more balanced, however, they played opponents that were relatively weak (World Rankings: USA 15th; Brazil 26th and Chile 29th) compared to the opposition they're facing this year. Fiji is currently ranked 9th in the World, so the upcoming games are going to be a big challenge!
For this blog post, I've once again looked at the availability of players who have been capped for the Māori All Blacks since 2012.
CAPPED PLAYERS (2012-2018), WHO ARE (PROBABLY) NOT/NO LONGER AVAILABLE
LH Prop
Jacob Ellison - Kurita Water Gush (Japan) Kane Hames - injured Josh Hohneck - Gloucester Joe Moody - All Blacks
TH Prop
Ben Afeaki - retired Nick Barrett - retired Brendon Edmonds - retired Mike Kainga - unknown Bronson Murray (also LH) - retired
Hooker
Robbie Abel - Melbourne Rebels (so probably ineligible) Hika Elliott - Nevers Quentin MacDonald - Oyonnax Liam Polwart - injured? Codie Taylor - All Blacks
Locks
Jason Eaton - retired Romana Graham - unknown Jarrad Hoeata - retired? Luke Katene - unknown Hoani Matenga - rehabbing from surgery approx 5 months ago (back in the gym) Keepa Mewett - NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes Jacob Skeen - Ricoh Black Rams Blade Thomson - Scarlets (also 6/8) Hayden Triggs - retired Joe Wheeler - Suntory Sungoliath
Loose forwards
Luke Braid - retired? Shane Christie - retired Joe Edwards - Provence Sam Henwood - injured Antonio Kirikiri - Yorkshire Carnegie Tanerau Latimer - retired Jordan Manihera - only just returned from San Diego Legion (may not be eligible) Liam Messam - Toulon Sean Polwart - retired Dan Pryor - Sunwolves/Sanix Blues Kara Pryor - Sunwolves Liam Squire - All Blacks Blade Thompson - Scarlets (also lock)
Halfbacks
Jamison Gibson-Park - Leinster Billy Guyton - retired Tawera Kerr-Barlow - La Rochelle Sam Nock - injured? Chris Smylie - unknown/retired Brad Weber / Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi - one of them will probably be in the All Blacks squad Frae Wilson - retired?
First five-eighths
Damian McKenzie - injured Willie Ripia - retired? Ihaia West - La Rochelle
Midfielders
Jason Emery - Sunwolves/Sanix Blues
Charlie Ngatai - Lyon
Jackson Willison - Bath
Outside backs
Kurt Baker - injured?
Ambrose Curtis - Wasps
Rieko Ioane - All Blacks
James Lowe - Leinster
Damian McKenzie - injured
Nehe Milner-Skudder - injured
Kade Poki - Anglet Olympique (Fédérale 1, France)
Codey Rei - Kamaishi Seawaves (Japan)
Robbie Robinson - Ricoh Black Rams
Squad size and factors complicating selection
In 2015, when the Māori All Blacks played Fiji and NZ Barbarians in pre-World Cup games, as well as in 2017, when they played the B&I Lions, the squad consisted of 26 players (15 forwards and 12 backs).
There are two other factors to be taken into account. The first factor is the date of the Super Rugby Final (Saturday, 6 July), only a week before the first game against Fiji. It seems unlikely that players involved in the Super Rugby Final will be available for that first game. That's likely to affect the availability of Bryn Hall and Whetu Douglas, but not Billy Harmon, who's unlikely to play in the Final.
The second factor is that in previous years, these Māori All Blacks games have been used to give game time to players in the (wider) All Blacks squad. Either because they hadn't played for a while, weren't first choice players (so weren't likely to get much game time for the All Blacks), or were still competing for a spot in the All Blacks squad.
These two factors are not likely to affect the selection of the Māori All Blacks squad itself, but will probably affect the match day squads, especially of the first match against Fiji. For example, if Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi is picked for the All Blacks, he could possibly get game time in the first Māori All Blacks game, because he's had so little game time during the Super Rugby season (and Bryn Hall is unavailable).
It is less likely to affect the match day squad for the second Māori All Blacks game, because this game will be played in the same weekend as the first Rugby Championship test of the All Blacks against the Pumas in Buenos Aires. All Blacks involved in the Super Rugby Final are unlikely to travel to Argentina for this first test, so all other players will probably be on the plane to South America.
PLAYERS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE 2019 MĀORI ALL BLACKS SQUAD
PROPS (number of spots: 4 or 5 (2015 and 2017, respectively))
LH - capped
Ross Wright (Northland) - also hooker
Chris Eves (Hurricanes/North Harbour)
LH -other candidates
?
TH - capped
Tyrel Lomax (Highlanders/Tasman) - unless named in All Blacks squad
Ben May (Hurricanes/Hawke's Bay) - also LH
Marcel Renata (Blues/Auckland)
TH - other candidates
Sean Paranihi (Manawatu, assuming he has returned from Hong Kong) - was a late addition to the squad in 2017, but did not play
Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hawke's Bay) - spent tme in camp in 2017, but did not play
Coree Te Whata-Colley (Counties Manukau)
Tamaiti Williams - 2019 NZ U20 Māori (not sure whether he's Maori)
My picks: Chris Eves, Tyrel Lomax (if available), Ben May and Marcel Renata. Also Ross Wright if they take a fifth prop.
HOOKERS (number of spots: 3 (2015) or 2 (2017)
capped
Ash Dixon (Highlanders/Hawke's Bay)
Leni Apisai (Blues/Wellington)
Joe Royal (Counties Manukau/Ponsonby)
other candidates
Kianu Kereru-Symes (NZU20s/Hawke's Bay) - also prop - may be named in NZ Māori U20 squad
My picks: Ash Dixon and Leni Apisai. Third hooker: Kianu Kereru-Symes (or Ross Wright, but I prefer a young player over a 30+ player as the frontow is already quite old)
LOCKS (number of spots: 3 (2015 and 2017)
capped
Nick Croswell (Manawatu)
Tom Franklin (Highlanders/Kobelco Steelers) - unless named in All Blacks squad or expected in Japan
Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders/Mitsubishi DynaBoars) - unless named in All Blacks squad or expected in Japan
Leighton Price (Taranaki)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hurricanes/Hawke's Bay)
Pari Pari Parkinson (Highlanders/Tasman)
other candidates
Matiaha Martin (Counties Manukau)
Jesse Parete (Chiefs/Taranaki) - lock or 6
Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Southland)
My picks: Jackson Hemopo (if available), Pari Pari Parkinson and Isaia Walker-Leawere. In case Hemopo is unavailable, and Franklin is available: Tom Franklin. If neither Hemopo or Franklin is available: Jesse Parete.
LOOSE FORWARDS (number of spots: 5 (2015 and 2017)
capped
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis - (Hurricanes/Inglewood Utd RFC)
Mitchell Crosswell (Taranaki/Tukapa)
Elliott Dixon (Highlanders/Ricoh Black Rams) - unless expected in Japan - 6 or 8
Whetu Douglas (Crusaders/Canterbury) - 6 or 8
Billy Harmon (Crusaders/Canterbury) - 7
Akira Ioane (Blues/Auckland) - unless named in All Blacks squad - 6 or 8
Mitch Karpik (Chiefs/Bay of Plenty) - 7
Reed Prinsep (Hurricanes/Canterbury) - 6 or 8
other candidates
Jesse Parete (Chiefs/Taranaki) - 6 or lock
My picks: Whetu Douglas, Billy Harmon, Akira Ioane, Reed Prinsep and Mitch Karpik. In case, Ioane is unavailable: Elliott Dixon; if Dixon is also unavailable: Jesse Parete (if not already included as a lock). If things really turn to custard: Heiden Bedwell-Curtis.
HALFBACKS (number of spots: 2 (2015 and 2017)
capped
Bryn Hall (Crusaders/North Harbour)
Jonathan Ruru (Blues/Auckland)
Brad Weber (Chiefs/Hawke's Bay) - unless named in All Blacks squad
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Chiefs/Taranaki) - unless named in All Blacks squad
other candidates
Ereatara Enari (Crusaders/Canterbury)
My picks: whoever of Brad Weber and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi has not been named in the All Blacks squad, and Bryn Hall. If Weber and Tahuriorangi are both named in the All Blacks squad: Ruru or Enari
FIRST FIVE-EIGHTHS (number of spots: 2 (2015 and 2017)
capped
Otere Black (Blues/Manawatu)
Jackson Garden-Bachop (Hurricanes/Wellington)
Josh Ioane (Highlanders/Otago) - unless named in All Blacks squad
Marty McKenzie (Chiefs/Taranaki) - also fullback
My picks: Josh Ioane and Otere Black. If Ioane is unavailable: Marty McKenzie
MIDFIELDERS (number of spots: 3 (2015) - 5 (2017)
capped
Tim Bateman (Crusaders) - unless he's returning to Japan
Matt Proctor (Hurricanes/Northhampton Saints) - unless already expected at Northhampton Saints
Rob Thompson (Highlanders/Manawatu)
Teihorangi Walden (Highlanders/Taranaki)
Sean Wainui (Chiefs/Taranaki)
other candidates
Orbyn Leger (Chiefs/Counties Manukau) (if he's Māori)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes/NZU20/Wellington) - may be named in NZ Māori U20 squad
Quinn Tupaea (NZU20/Waikato) - may be named in NZ Māori U20 squad
My picks: in any case, Walden and Thompson; if available, also Matt Proctor, if not: Bateman (can cover 10). If they're taking more than 3 midfielders: Wainui (can cover wing). A fifth pick could be Billy Proctor.
OUTSIDE BACKS (number of spots: 5 (2015) or 3 (2017)
capped
Zac Guildford (Waikato?/Fraser Tech)
Matthew Lansdown (Waikato/club rugby?)
Jonah Lowe (Hurricanes/Hawke's Bay)
Marty McKenzie (Chiefs/Taranaki)
Declan O'Donnell (Waikato/club rugby?)
Trent Renata (Wellington/Oriental-Rongotai)
Shaun Stevenson (Chiefs/North Harbour)
Andre Taylor (Manawatu/College Old Boys)
Sean Wainui (Chiefs/Taranaki) - also midfield
Regan Ware (AB7s/Taranaki)
Joe Webber (AB7s/Bay of Plenty?)
My picks: Jonah Lowe, Shaun Stevenson and Regan Ware. If not already included as a midfielder: also Sean Wainui. If not already included as a first five-eighth: also Marty McKenzie.
My picks would result in the following squad:
- Tyrel Lomax (if available), Chris Eves, Ben May and Marcel Renata (if Lomax is unavailable, or if they take a fifth prop instead of a third hooker: Ross Wright)
- Ash Dixon and Leni Apisai (if they take a third hooker instead of a fifth prop: Kianu Kereru-Symes)
- Jackson Hemopo, Pari Pari Parkinson and Isaia Walker-Leawere (if Hemopo is unavailable: Tom Franklin)
- Whetu Douglas, Billy Harmon, Akira Ioane, Reed Prinsep and Mitch Karpik
- Elliott Dixon (if Akira Ioane is unavailable)
- Jesse Parete (if both of Hemopo and Franklin, or both of Ioane and Dixon, are unavailable)
- Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (if both of Hemopo and Franklin, and both of Ioane and Dixon, are unavailable)
- Bryn Hall, and Brad Weber or Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Jonathan Ruru or Ere Enari if Weber and Tahuriorangi are both unavailable)
- Otere Black and Josh Ioane (if available)
- Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden and Matt Proctor (Bateman, if Proctor is unavailable).
- Jonah Lowe, Shaun Stevenson and Regan Ware
- Sean Wainui (fourth midfielder or fourth outside back)
- Marty McKenzie (extra outside back, if not included as first five-eighth instead of Josh Ioane)
- Quinn Tupaea (extra back, if McKenzie has been included as first five-eighth instead of Josh Ioane)
It is expected that the Māori All Blacks will be named on Tuesday, 2 July 2019 on Sky Sports 1 from 7.00pm.
Maori All Blacks to play Fiji in two-match series:
The Flying Fijians will have first home-advantage when the Maori All Blacks – assembling for the first time since their Americas end of year tour last year – head to Suva, Fiji, for their season opening match on Saturday 13 July.
Both teams head to Rotorua, New Zealand where one team will look to even the ledger as the two teams face off again at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday 20 July.
Under 20 Curtain raiser
A Fijian Under-20 side and a New Zealand Maori Under-20 side will be the curtain raiser.
Both teams arrive in the city one week prior to the match and Councillor Charles Sturt, who leads the Rotorua Lakes Council sport and recreation portfolio, says there will be a number of different Maori and Pacifica events leading up to the match.
http://www.allblacks.com/News/34125/maori-all-blacks-to-play-fiji-in-two-match-series
Looking at the 2018 squad there will need to be a few new faces.
Ash Dixon
Robbie Abel (Liam Polwart)
Ross Wright??
Marcel Renata
Ben May
Chris Eves
Tyrell Lomax --> possibly ABs
Pari Pari Parkinson
Isaia Walker-Leawere
Jackson Hemopo --> ABs (Tom Franklin)
Hoani Matenga??
Billy Harmon??
Mitchell Karpik (if fit)
Reed Prinsep
Akira Ioane --> ABs (Whetu Douglas)
Also have Elliot Dixon and Jesse Parete available.
Brad Weber --> ABs (replaced by Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi)
Bryn Hall
Jonathan Ruru
Josh Ioane --> ABs (MMac 
)
Otere Black
Matt Proctor
Rob Thompson
Teihorangi Walden
Jonah Lowe
Regan Ware
Matthew Lansdown
Nehe Milner-Skudder?? (Sean Wainui)
Shaun Stevenson
Not sure about Nock and if Perofeta is fit again.
@Nepia I really don't understand what people have against Prinsep. He may not be the best loosie around, but he's also not as bad as people seem to suggest. Not a race horse, but still a useful work horse. I'd only select HB-C if there are many players unavailable; he's hardly played SR and instead played some club rugby in Taranaki.
I could copy and paste the player list, but then you take it out of context. It's included in a blog post for a reason and if I just paste the list here, nobody will look at the blog post anymore (which includes info about availability (or not) of a lot of other players).
@Stargazer Liam Polwart has played for the Maori previously (2017) so I would expect him to be selected if he is over his concussion symptoms.
I refer to what I said in a previous post.
@Stargazer said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
If you can't find a player in my picks, please, check first in the paragraph "CAPPED PLAYERS (2012-2018), WHO ARE (PROBABLY) NOT/NO LONGER AVAILABLE".
Obviously, I don't have the latest injury updates, but I've tried my best to find all the info. I've also assumed that players who didn't play rugby in NZ during the first half of the 2019 season, are probably not eligible (Abel, Manihera).
@Stargazer said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
I refer to what I said in a previous post.
I read that. Polwart's concussion is a recent problem as he didn't play after the Blues game in Auckland (mid-May).
The reserve Maori hooker hardly plays any minutes behind Dixon anyway. 
@Bovidae If he's still concussed, he won't play. It's that simple. Number of minutes to be played is irrelevant.
I couldn't find any info that suggests he has recovered from that concussion (like playing club rugby last weekend). Obviously, if he's named tomorrow, he will be.
@Stargazer I don't see what you and obviously Plumtree see and not sure how he burgled a super contract.
@Nepia Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for Devan Flanders to take his Canes' spot, once he's ready .. :smiling_face_with_open_mouth:
Māori All Blacks squad
Forwards
Hookers:
Ash Dixon (Ngati Tahinga) Hawke's Bay / Highlanders
Nathan Harris (Ngati Apakura /Tainui) Waikato / Chiefs
Props:
Tyrel Lomax (Ngai Tuhoe/Muaupoko) Tasman / Highlanders
Ben May (Ngati Maniapoto) Hawke's Bay / Hurricanes
Marcel Renata (Ngati Whanaunga/Ngai Takoto) Auckland/ Blues
Ross Wright (Ngati Whatua/Ngati Porou) Northland / Blues
Locks:
Tom Franklin (Ngati Maniapoto) Otago / Highlanders
Pari Pari Parkinson (Te Whanau a Apanui) Tasman / Highlanders
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngati Porou) Hawkes Bay / Hurricanes
Loose Forwards
Whetukamokamo Douglas (Ngati Porou/Ngati Whakaue) Canterbury / Crusaders
Elliot Dixon (Ngapuhi) Southland/ Highlanders
Akira Ioane (Ngapuhi/Te Whanau a Apanui) Auckland / Blues
Mitchell Karpik (Rongomaiwahine/Ngati Kahungunu) Bay of Plenty / Chiefs
Reed Prinsep (Te Rarawa) Canterbury / Hurricanes
Backs
Halfbacks:
Bryn Hall (Ngati Ranginui) North Harbour / Crusaders
Jonathan Ruru (Ngati Kahungunu/Rongomaiwahine) Auckland / Blues
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Ngati Pikiao) Taranaki / Chiefs
First five-eighths:
Otere Black (Ngai Tuhoe/Te Whanau a Apanui/Ngati Tuwharetoa) Manawatu / Blues
Jackson Garden-Bachop (Ngati Awa) Wellington / Hurricanes
Fletcher Smith (Ngati Kahungunu) Waikato / Hurricanes
Midfielders
Alex Nankivell (Ngapuhi) Tasman / Chiefs
Rob Thompson (Ngati Kahungunu / Nga Rauru) Manawatu / Highlanders
Teihorangi Walden (Te Atiawa) Taranaki / Highlanders
Outside backs:
Jordan Hyland (Ngai Tahu) Northland / Highlanders
Shaun Stevenson (Ngapuhi) North Harbour / Chiefs
Sean Wainui (Ngai Tuhoe/Ngati Porou) Taranaki / Chiefs
“We have named 26 players today, with one more, likely to be a prop, to be added before we travel next week.
“We’re excited to name four new caps in Nathan Harris, Alex Nankivell, Fletcher Smith and Jordan Hyland.
“With six players (Harris, Lomax, Dixon, Ioane, Hall and Tahuriorangi) in our mix with All Blacks experience, we can take a very solid squad to Suva and then on to Rotorua.
https://www.allblacks.com/News/34357/maori-all-blacks-squad-named-for-two-match-series-against-fiji
Not a bad team really although surprised to see Hyland over Lowe and surprised to even see Garden-Bachop there. Everyone complains about MMac but he's had better games at Super level than JGB has ever had.
There's some good loosies in there and Prinseep.
Also, I guess Aussie Jack is only Cook Island Maori and not NZ Maori - or is going back to Oz.
@Nepia guess Hyland got there by virtue of more productive minutes on the park....
@Nepia said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
Not a bad team really although surprised to see Hyland over Lowe and surprised to even see Garden-Bachop there. Everyone complains about MMac but he's had better games at Super level than JGB has ever had.
There's some good loosies in there and Prinseep.
Also, I guess Aussie Jack is only Cook Island Maori and not NZ Maori - or is going back to Oz.
From the way he looked on the Canes bench after half time on Saturday, I wonder whether Lowe is injured again?
Agree about MMac being better than JGB has ever been. Heaps better, I'd say.
I'm also keen to find out who are in the NZ Māori U20 squad, but I guess that team will be named later. They can't possibly name a Māori squad from this year's NZ U20 squad or even the players invited to the NZ U20s camps. Will they invite younger players from last year's NZ Schools, NZ Barbarians Schools and NZ Māori U18, or will they be allowed to select youngish players just over 20?
@Stargazer said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
I'm also keen to find out who are in the NZ Māori U20 squad, but I guess that team will be named later. They can't possibly name a Māori squad from this year's NZ U20 squad or even the players invited to the NZ U20s camps. Will they invite younger players from last year's NZ Schools, NZ Barbarians Schools and NZ Māori U18, or will they be allowed to select youngish players just over 20?
I’m assuming they can find 26 odd U20 Maori players for the team throughout the country - I don’t think they all have to be in line for NZ U20s.
@taniwharugby said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
@Nepia guess Hyland got there by virtue of more productive minutes on the park....
I might probably not a good judge on his form - I couldn’t even remember which Super team he played for.
@Nepia I think looking at the players of the 2018 school squads - who will be 19 by now - and the U20s teams of the SR franchises would be the right approach. We'll see which players make it. If they can be bothered to announce the team at all.
@Stargazer Nathan Harris Waikato? He's a steamer though. Surely he isn't moving.
@Yeetyaah said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
@Stargazer Nathan Harris Waikato? He's a steamer though. Surely he isn't moving.
Good question. I doubt he was expecting to be playing any provincial rugby.
@Nepia said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
It might be a misprint - the Waikato night have supposed to go in the iwi section.
Yes.
Waikato rugby has only acknowledged the selection of Fletcher Smith.
@Bovidae said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
If Ash Dixon is still the captain I will be interested in how McMillan gives meaningful minutes to Harris. One start each maybe?
Dixon was captain last year and Abel still got plenty of minutes and even a start if I recall.
@Stargazer I was at that game. I remember all the numbers falling off the new NZM jerseys.
@Stargazer geez how much bigger was Aaron Smith back then?
Not sure Robbie Robinson should have been named at loosehead.
Māori U20 squad:
Kershawl Sykes-Martin
Nelson Rugby Club
Ngāti Porou
Te Ariki Te Puni
University RFC Auckland
Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou, Rangitāne o Manawatu
Ngāi Te Rangi
Jonas Pomare
Mt Maunganui Sports Club
Ngāpuhi
*Poukohe Sorensen
Te Puna RFC
Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou
Tyrone Thompson
Marist St Pats
Ngai Tā Manuhiri, Ngāti Rangiwewehi
Tanara Haenga
Wainuiomata RFC
Ngāti Porou
Josh Hill
University of Otago RFC
Ngāi Tahu
Leo Ngatai-Tafau
Ardmore Marist RFC
Ngāti Porou, Tainui
Keelan Whitman
Marist St Pats
Ngāti Rangiwewehi
*Cortez-Lee Ratima
Otorohonga RFC
Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tama
Leo Thompson
Marist St Pats
Ngai Tā Manuhiri, Ngāti Rangiwewehi
Shamus Hurley-Langton
College Old Boys Wellington
Te Āti Awa, Taranaki
Samuel Smith
Wainuiomata RFC
Ngāti Raukawa, Ngati Kahungunu
Coel Kerr
Lincoln University RFC
Ngāti Ranginui
John Croft Cooper
Ponsonby District RFC
Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngā Puhi, Tūwharetoa
Kaipo Brown
Tauranga Rugby Sports & Recreation Club
Te Aupōuri, Te Arawa, Tainui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Āti Awa
Dennon Robinson-Bartlett
Whakarewarewa Community Sports Club
Ngāti Kahungunu
Tamarau McGahan
Marist North Harbour
Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Raukawa
Tobias Wickham-Manuel
Kia Toa RFC
Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Tahu Kaa
Lincoln University RFC
Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu
Zarn Sullivan
College Rifles RFC
Ngāti Kahungunu
Isaac Bracewell
Wellington Football Club
Ngāti Maniapoto
Callum Bean
Grammar Tec Auckland
Ngai Tahu, Ngā Puhi
*Availability subject to Club Commitments
Coaches and management:
Head Coach
Rua Wanoa
Ngāti Porou
Forwards Coach
Anthony Rehutai
Ngāti Porou
Forwards Assistant
Tracey Davis
Ngāti Whātua
Backs Coach
Stacey Grant
Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
Backs Assistant
Joseph Wineera
Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāi Tahu
Cultural Advisor
Mihaere Emery
Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Raukawa
Mark Seymour
Manager
Ngāti Hikairo
Kieran Te Whare
Trainer
Ngati Tūwharetoa
Tioke Pryor
Physio
Ngāi Tuhoe. Ngāti Awa, Ngāi Te Rangi
Tiki Edwards
Campaign Manager
Whakatōhea, Ngāti Raukawa
@gt12 Yeah, maybe. I was thinking it might be an early trial for the NZU20 development camps later in the year. I assume many of these players will also play at the Jock Hobbs U19 tournament in September and some maybe even Mitre 10 Cup.
@Bovidae said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
Have the Thompson brothers been poached by Wellington or studying there?
Wellington offered more money than the Bay could afford (I have it from a reliable source). Also, their dad played for Marist St Pat's, so that has probably been a factor, too.
They're both building apprentices, something they could have been in the Bay as well.
So, I call them poached. (Others will argue that they just wanted to play for Wellington, but I'm not buying that 
).