Injuries ravage Maori team

The New Zealand Maori team was the big loser in the NPC Final at the weekend.

Taranaki were crowned the new champions of New Zealand, beating Tasman 36-32 in a thrilling NPC Final in New Plymouth on Saturday.

However, three Tasman players were ruled out of the Maori tour tio japan through injury.

Shane Christie (foot), Liam Squire (concussion) and Joe Wheeler (knee MCL) ar asll out of the two-match trip.

The Maori side will play matches against Japan in Kobe next Saturday and in Tokyo seven days later.

Brothers Nick Crosswell (Ngati Porou, Manawatu) and Mitch Crosswell (Ngati Porou, Taranaki) come in for Christie and Squire respectively.

Hayden Triggs (Ngati Kahungunu, North Harbour) replaces Wheeler.

Mitch Crosswell is named in the Maori team for the first time.

The team departs for Japan on Monday.