Maori All Blacks v Japan XV - Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: The Māori All Blacks coaching group have named their matchday 23 to play the Japan XV at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Seven debutants have made the team alongside experienced captain Kurt Eklund.

Head coach Ross Filipo says he’s been thoroughly impressed with the players returning to the team environment, and those new to the group, remarking on how well they have come together and focused on the campaign ahead.

“It’s a tight turnaround for us with plenty of our players in the Super Rugby Pacific Final on Saturday and then coming straight into this environment,” said Filipo.

“Selections were tough, and our coaching group spent quite some time together to make sure we had the right mix to take the field in Tokyo. We are determined to right a wrong from our last game in Aichi in 2024.”

Hooker Eklund anchors the scrum, with debutant Jacob Devery as impact, alongside props 31-year-old Jared Proffit and Kershawl Sykes-Martin in his debut.

Isaia Walker-Leawere and Laghlan McWhannell make up the locking duo, while Jahrome Brown and Te Kamaka Howden have been named in the loose forwards.

Cullen Grace completes an experienced forward pack at No.8.

Three-time Māori All Black Sam Nock comes in scrumhalf and after a stellar Super Rugby Pacific season, Rivez Reihana has been named as flyhalf.

Bailyn Sullivan and Gideon Wrampling will bring their strong ball-carrying skills in the midfield, Jonah Lowe and Cole Forbes will start as wingers, with Zarn Sullivan rounding out the backs.

Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Benet Kumeroa, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Kaleb Trask and Xavi Taele have been named as replacements.

*Meanwhile, the Japan XV squad will have a back three consisting of Jingo Takenoshita, Taira Main and Siosaia Fifita.

Siosaia Fifita and Charlie Lawrence will form a midfield combination, while Sam Greene and Kenta Fukuda are the halfbacks.

The back row consists of Keito Aoki, Kanji Shimokawa and Vueti Tupou, with Waisake Raratubua and Epineri Uluivati in the second row.

Shuhei Takeuchi, Hayaye Era and Kenta Kobayashi will form the front row.

Prediction

@rugby365com: Maori All Blacks by 25 points.

Teams:

Japan XV: 15 Jingo Takenoshita, 14 Taira Main, 13 Siosaia Fifita, 12 Charlie Lawrence, 10 Sam Greene, 9 Kenta Fukuda, 8 Keito Aoki, 7 Kanji Shimokawa, 6 Vueti Tupou, 5 Waisake Raratubua, 4 Epineri Uluivati, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 2 Hayaye Era, 1 Kenta Kobayashi
Replacements: 16 Kenji Sato, 17 Sena Kimua, 18 Sanshiro Kihara, 19 Shu Yamamoto, 20 Taishiro Kido, 21 Shuntaro Kitamura, 22 Ichigo Nakakusu, 23 Halatoa Vailea

Māori All Blacks: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Cole Forbes, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Gideon Wrampling, 11 Jonah Lowe, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 5 Laghlan McWhannell, 4 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 3 Kerswhal Sykes-Martin, 2 Kurt Eklund (captain), 1 Jared Proffit.
Replacements: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Benet Kumeroa, 19 Zach Gallagher, 20 Caleb Delany, 21 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Xavi Taele.

Date: Saturday, June 28
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo
Kick-off: 18.00 (21.00 NZST; 09.00 GMT)
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Damian Schneider (Uruguay)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

Additional source: RugbyAsia247