Flynn blow for Maori team

A youthful Maori front row has just got younger, with Hawke's Bay hooker Ash Dixon replacing the injured Corey Flynn.

Flynn has been ruled out of the two game North American tour next month with a neck injury.

He's also missing from the Canterbury side for Saturday's NPC Final against Wellington.

The 26-man Maori squad will assemble in Auckland at the weekend before flying out on Monday.

They play Canada in Toronto on November 3, before facing the United States six days later in Philadelphia.

Maori All Black North American schedule:

* Sunday, November 3: v Canada at BMO Stadium, Kick-off 13.00 (07.00 Monday November 4 NZ time)

* Saturday, November 9: v USA at PPL Park, Kick-off 19.00 (13.00 Sunday November 10 NZ time)