A new coach will need to be named.
10 months later
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced the Māori All Blacks coaching and management group ahead of their return to the international stage, where they will play two matches against the Japan XV on Saturday 29 June and Saturday 6 July, in Japan. Chiefs Assistant Coach Ross Filipo (Muaūpoko) has been named as Head Coach, he will be joined by Roger Randle (Ngāti Awa) and Greg Feek (Ngāti Kahungunu) as Assistant Coaches.
Out of interest, here's the squad that played Ireland in 2022 (excluding players now overseas). Obviously some of these players will be in the AB squad while others will come into contention.
Props
Ollie Norris
Tyrel Lomax
Tamaiti Williams
Jermaine Ainsley
Marcel Renata
Hookers
Kurt Eklund
Tyrone Thompson
Locks
Isaia Walker-Leawere
Maanaki Selby-Rickit
Max Hicks
Caleb Delany
Loose forwards
Cameron Suafoa
Billy Harmon
Cullen Grace
TK Howden
Halfbacks
TJ Perenara
Sam Nock
1st 5s
Josh Ioane
Midfield
Rameka Poihipi
Billy Proctor
Bailyn Sullivan
Outside backs
Connor Garden-Bachop
Shaun Stevenson
Zarn Sullivan
Ruben Love
Josh Moorby
Other players could include:
Joe Moody
Pouri Rakete-Stones
Akira Ioane
Rob Rush
Nikora Broughton
Cortez Ratima
Noah Hotham
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
Rivez Reihana
Quinn Tupaea
Daniel Rona
Heremaia Murray
Cole Forbes
There will be others but it should be a strong squad once the AB squad has been chosen.
18 days later
Sky Sport
June 29, 10pm: Māori All Blacks v Japan, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
July 6, 9pm: Māori All Blacks v Japan, Toyota Stadium, Toyota
They obviously couldn't name this squad earlier and pre-empt the AB announcement but they play in Japan this Sat. Talk about a rushed preparation.
@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2024:
They obviously couldn't name this squad earlier and pre-empt the AB announcement but they play in Japan this Sat. Talk about a rushed preparation.
Only a week and a half for abs is bad enough, that should be in the stupid shit you see thread, 6 days!
For @Chris and others wanting to know, the squad is named at 11:30 am. The team will also be training in Auckland tomorrow.
@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2024:
For @Chris and others wanting to know, the squad is named at 11:30 am. The team will also be training in Auckland tomorrow.
Thanks for that,it is much appreciated.
I've no idea how many will be named in the squad. Maybe 28-30 for the two tests. And will some of the departing players be selected?
From the players I listed previously, you can scratch Lomax, Williams, TJP, Ratima, Proctor, Garden-Bachop and Love. The problem positions will be a 3rd hooker, openside cover (especially if Harmon isn't selected) and wingers. I expect Filipo will use Sullivan, Rona and Moorby as utilities.
My crack at a potential 23
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Joe Moody
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Tyrone Thompson
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Marcel Renata
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Isaia Walker-Leawere
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Pari Pari Parkinson ?
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Cullen Grace
-
Billy Harmon
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Akira Ioane
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Noah Hotham
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Josh Ioane
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Bailyn Sullivan
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Rameka Poihipi
-
Quinn Tupaea
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Josh Moorby
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Shaun Stevenson
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Kurt Eklund
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Ollie Norris
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Pouri Rakete-Stones (unsure about eligible TH props)
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Caleb Delany ?
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Cameron Suafoa
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Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
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Daniel Rona
-
Cole Forbes
Extra Squaddies
Kianu Kereru-Symes, Jermaine Ainsley?, TK Howden, Max Hicks, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Nikora Broughton, Sam Nock, Rivez Reihana, Taha Kemara, Meihana Grindlay, Jake Te Hiwi, Jonah Lowe
Hopefully Ruben Love is made available for the two tests
? unsure about injury available and when Ainsley leaves for France
I think I saw Flanders listed with an Iwi recently so he will be in the frame too assuming I didn’t dream it.
@Trig said in Māori All Blacks 2024:
Hopefully Ruben Love is made available for the two tests
Ruben Love being injury cover for Caleb Clarke means he misses Māori AB’s. If Caleb Clarke is ok then he will get released to play for Māoris, or so I’ve been told. Whether that means his named is announced or not I’m not sure but he has said injury cover means no Māoris.
Props
Benet Kumeroa* (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi/Bay of Plenty/Hurricanes)
Joe Moody (Ngāi Tahu/Canterbury/Crusaders)
Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāi Takoto/Auckland/Blues)
Ollie Norris (Ngāpuhi/Waikato/Chiefs)
Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi/Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
Hookers
Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu/Bay of Plenty/Blues)
Tyrone Thompson (Ngāti Kahungunu/Chiefs)
Locks
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou/Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
Laghlan McWhannell* (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Blues)
Max Hicks (Ngāti Ranginui/ Ta$man/Highlanders)
Tahlor Cahill* (Ngāpuhi/Canterbury/Crusaders)
Loose forwards
Billy Harmon (Ngāi Tahu/Canterbury/Highlanders)
Cameron Suafoa (Ngāpuhi/North Harbour/Blues)
Cullen Grace (Ngāti Whakaue/Canterbury/Crusaders)
Nikora Broughton* (Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Ruanui/Bay of Plenty/Highlanders)
Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe/Manawatū/Hurricanes)
Half Backs
Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi/Northland/Blues)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)
First five-eighths
Rivez Reihana* (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Northland/Crusaders)
Taha Kemara* (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea/Waikato/Crusaders)
Midfield
Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Hurricanes)
Corey Evans* (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu/Northland/Blues)
Daniel Rona* (Te Ātiawa/Taranaki/Chiefs)
Rameka Poihipi (Ngāti Whakaue/Canterbury/Chiefs)
Quinn Tupaea (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru, Waikato/Waikato/Chiefs)
Outside Backs
Cole Forbes* (Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Blues)
Josh Moorby (Ngāi Maniapoto/Waikato/Hurricanes)
Tana Tuhakaraina* (Ngāti Hauā/Waikato/Chiefs)
Unavailable for selection due to injury:
Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Ngāti Raukawa)
Shaun Stevenson (Ngāpuhi)
Jared Profitt (Ngāti Porou)