Maori All Blacks v Scotland - Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: Stafford McDowall will captain Scotland for their first match of their Pacific Tour against the Maori All Blacks on Saturday.

McDowall has previous experience of leading his country after being selected to take on the role for the victory over Portugal last November.

He will be assisted with his leadership by vice-captains George Horne, at scrumhalf, and Josh Bayliss, who starts in the back row after lifting the Premiership with Bath.

Harry Paterson experienced a frustrating July tour last year after being ruled out of two of the games through injury, but he will don the Scotland jersey for the first time since the Uruguay match last year.

He is named on the wing with Arron Reed on the opposite flank.

In the centres, McDowall is paired with Northampton Saints’ Rory Hutchinson, who has joined the squad following the injury to Matt Currie.

Ollie Smith will play for Scotland for the first time since the Rugby World Cup match against Ireland in 2023 and starts at fullback.

Glasgow Warriors duo Adam Hastings and Horne form the halfback partnership.

Nathan McBeth and Patrick Harrison both made their debuts on last year’s tour and they will pack down with Fin Richardson in the front row.

Glasgow Warriors prop Richardson travelled to Chile and Uruguay last year, and he will wear the Scotland jersey for the first time in what is a non-capped match.

Fresh from playing in Leicester’s narrow loss to Bath in the Premiership Final, Cameron Henderson has been selected, making his first appearance for Scotland since his debut against Italy in 2023.

In the back row, alongside Josh Bayliss, Ben Muncaster and Andy Onyeama-Christie are selected, the selection marking Onyeama-Christie’s first match for Scotland since the 2024 Six Nations.

The story continues below…

“We know we are going to be up against a tough team. It will be a physical game and I’m sure they will want to move the ball to width to test our defence.”

Gregor Townsend talks to us about team selection for the opening game of the tour.

More ➡️ https://t.co/fR1Gw3bvJY pic.twitter.com/nAdmrbgWYP

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) July 3, 2025

In the replacements, hooker George Turner marks his return to the Scotland squad with selection, along with Alec Hepburn who will play for the first time since 2024 when he made four appearances in the Guinness Six Nations. Will Hurd also offers a propping option from the bench.

Max Williamson and Gregor Brown made their debuts against Canada on last year’s tour and both are selected in the 23 and second and back row substitutes.

It will be a special day for loose forward Alexander Masibaka and stand-off Fergus Burke, the pair named with back Jamie Dobie to complete a six-two split on the bench.

*Meanwhile, Maori All Blacks head coach Ross Filipo says while the team took confidence from last weekend’s performance against a Japan XV, the focus has quickly shifted to the unique challenge Scotland presents.

“Japan tested us with fast-paced rugby in hot conditions, and I was proud of the way the team came out in that second half in particular.

“They made quick decisions, and you could see the cohesion get better and better as the game went on,” said Filipo.

“We know Scotland have their own style, so we are now firmly looking forward. Scotland are physical, and the team is ready for that.

“We are focused on working collectively to balance our natural instincts with smart decision-making.”

The match, to be played at Okara Park in Whangārei, marks a special moment for the team, who are excited to be back on home soil and embraced by the Northland community.

Prediction

@rugby365com: Maori All Blacks by four points.

Teams:

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

Scotland: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Harry Paterson, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Stafford McDowall (captain), 11 Arron Reed, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 George Horne, 8 Ben Muncaster, 7 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 6 Josh Bayliss, 5 Cameron Henderson, 4 Marshall Sykes, 3 Fin Richardson, 2 Patrick Harrison, 1 Nathan McBeth.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Alexander Masibaka, 22 Fergus Burke, 23 Jamie Dobie.

Date: Saturday, July 5
Venue: Okara Park, Whangārei
Kick-off: 15.35 (04.35 BST; 03.35 GMT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Jordan Way (Australia), Reuben Keane (Australia)
TMO: Oli Kellett (Australia)