Maori All Blacks bring in Crusaders hero

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Māori All Blacks head coach Ross Filipo has selected an experienced squad led by 32-year-old Aucklander Kurt Eklund ahead of two matches against the Japan XV in Tokyo and Scotland in Whangārei.

There are 11 new faces among some familiar names in the 29-man squad.

The new caps range from 20-year-old Blues midfielder Xavi Taele, the youngest member of the squad, to 31-year-old Gisborne-born, Taranaki prop Jared Proffit.

Meanwhile, playmaker Rivez Reihana headlines the squad after his heroics with the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific season.

The 25-year-old produced a man-of-the-match performance in last Saturday’s Final against the Chiefs.

“This team demands a strong leader with mana, and Kurt [Eklund] has shown that quality and more over a long period of time, for the Māori All Blacks, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and the Blues,” said Filipo.

“He has a lot of experience throughout the squad and that will be a strength for what will be two tough matches.”

Filipo also congratulated the new caps.

“It’s a proud moment for all the new caps and their whānau. This is a special team, and these players know they are here to represent something bigger than themselves – their whakapapa, their language, the jersey and Aotearoa.”

The squad has assembled in Auckland to begin their campaign preparations before leaving for Japan on June 25.

The 29-strong Māori All Blacks squad is as follows: (province, Super Rugby club)

*Denotes new cap

Props
Benet Kumeroa (Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)
Jared Proffit* (Taranaki/Chiefs)
Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
Kershawl Sykes-Martin* (Tasman/Crusaders)
Mason Tupaea* (Waikato/Blues)

Hookers
Jacob Devery* (Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
Kurt Eklund (Bay of Plenty/Blues)

Locks
Zach Gallagher* (Canterbury/Hurricanes)
Laghlan McWhannell (Waikato/Blues)
Antonio Shalfoon* (Tasman/Crusaders)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)

Loose forwards
Nikora Broughton (Bay of Plenty/Highlanders)
Jahrome Brown* (Waikato/Chiefs)
Caleb Delany (Wellington/Hurricanes)
Cullen Grace (Canterbury/Crusaders)
Te Kamaka Howden (Manawatū/Highlanders)

Scrumhalves
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara* (Auckland)
Sam Nock (Northland/Blues)

Flyhalves
Rivez Reihana (Northland/Crusaders)
Kaleb Trask (Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)

Midfielders
Corey Evans (Northland/Blues)
Bailyn Sullivan (Waikato/Hurricanes)
Daniel Rona (Taranaki/Chiefs)
Xavi Taele* (Auckland/Blues)
Gideon Wrampling* (Waikato/Chiefs)

Outside Backs
Cole Forbes (Bay of Plenty/Blues)
Jonah Lowe (Hawke’s Bay/Highlanders)
Zarn Sullivan (Hawke’s Bay/Blues)

Injury Cover – Kade Banks* (North Harbour/Hurricanes) has joined the squad as temporary injury cover for Daniel Rona.

The following players were not considered due to injury:
Rameka Poihipi
Cameron Suafoa
Taha Kemara
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
Marcel Renata
Manaaki Selby-Rickit