Preview - USA v NZ Maori
Tito to lead new-look Maori side
Five players will make their debut for the New Zealand Maori when the side kicks off its Churchill Cup campaign against the US Eagles at Santa Clara Stadium in San Francisco on Wednesday.
North Harbour prop Mike Noble, Otago halfback Chris Smylie, Hawke's Bay fly-half Matt Berquist, Waikato midfielder Richard Kahui and North Harbour wing Zar Lawrence have been named in the starting line-up for the competition opener.
Taranaki lock Paul Tito takes over the captaincy from Jono Gibbes, who has been named on the bench.
Maori coach Donny Stevenson said he hoped the team would continue its form against the United States following last Friday's 20-16 win against the Waratahs in Sydney.
"We will look to lift our game a notch after last week's win," said the new man.
"Our understanding is that rugby is growing here and we are delighted that we can aid the development of the game in this part of the world."
Meanwhile, US Eagles coach Peter Thorburn has named two new faces in his XV – Chicago Lions wing Jeremy Nash and Denver Barbarians fly-half Jason Kelly will earn their first caps on Wednesday.
Nash, who was released from the Eagles squad to play for the Chicago Lions in last weekend's Rugby Super League semi-final play, is back with the squad and moves into the starting line-up.
Kelly earns his spot after impressing for the USA Hawks in the early rounds of the inaugural IRB North America 4 tournament.
Parma duo Paul Emerick and Albert Tuipolotu also join the fray following their heroics against Newport Gwent Dragons in Friday's Heineken Cup play-off.
Jeff Hullinger misses out at a crack at the Maori after suffering concussion during Saturday's loss to Ireland 'A' while Mike MacDonald drops out of the match-day squad.
USA: 15 Francois Viljoen (Belmont Shore), 14 Brian Barnard (Golden Gate), 13 Salesi Sika (BYU), 12 Vaha Esikia (Blackjacks), 11 Jeremy Nash (Chicago Lions), 10 Jason Kelly (Denver Barbarians), 9 Mose Timotea (Hayward), 1 Mike French (OMBAC), 2 Patrick Bell (Life), 3 John Tarpoff (St Louis), 4 Carl Hansen (Olympic Club), 5 Mike Mangan (Chicago Griffins), 6 Todd Clever (Mahurangi), 7 Tony Petruzella (Olympic Club), 8 Kort Schubert (Cardiff, captain).
Replacements: 16 Owen Lentz (Washington), 17 Chris Osentowski (Belmont Shore), 18 Brian Schoener (OPSB), 19 Mark Aylor (Austin), 20 Tyson Meek (Denver Barbarians), 21 Mike Palefau (Haggis), 22 Alipate Tuilevuka (BYU).
NZ Maori: 15 Shannon Paku, 14 Zar Lawrence, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Pehi Te Whare, 11 Cory Jane, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Jake Paringatai, 7 Liam Messam, 6 Thomas Waldrom, 5 Paul Tito (captain), 4 Kristian Ormsby, 3 Mike Noble, 2 Luke Mahoney, 1 Greg Feek.
Replacements: 16 Scott Linklater, 17 Deacon Manu, 18 Ross Filipo, 19 Jono Gibbes, 20 Corey Tamou, 21 Callum Bruce, 22 Anthony Tahana.
Date: Wednesday, June 7
Kick-off: 19:30 (02:30 GMT)
Venue: Santa Clara Stadium, San Francisco
Referee: Peter Allen (Scotland)
Touch judges: Phil Smith (Canada), Andrew Small (England)
