Māori All Blacks 2025
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So looking at the squad for 2025's matches against Japan and Scotland, I wonder if the All Blacks coaches will send some of the 'fringe' players to Japan with the MABs for their first match (which is played the week before the first Test against France). If the likes of Ruben Love, Billy Proctor and Noah Hotham aren't going to be playing in that opening Test, I'd personally rather see them get some minutes for Maori (especially given they've already had plenty of time in All Blacks camp).
The MABs will likely have to rely on some provincial players to plug the gap at hooker, prop and possibly outside back.
Just looking at who's actually known to be eligible and played Super Rugby this year or played for the Maori last year (I've included last year's All Blacks in italics, plus Quinn Tupaea who I think is probably a dead cert)...
Props
Marcel Renata
Ollie Norris
Pouri Rakete-Stones
Jared Proffit
Benet Kumeroa
Tamaiti Williams
Tyrel LomaxHookers
Kurt Eklund
Codie TaylorLocks
Isaia Walker-Leawere
Laghlan McWhannell
Max Hicks
Tahlor Cahill
Manaaki Selby-Rickit
Tai Cribb
Caleb DelanyLoose forwards
Cullen Grace
Nikora Broughton
Te Kamaka Howden
Jahrome BrownHalfbacks
Sam Nock
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
Cortez Ratima
Noah HothamFirst five-eighths
Rivez Reihana
Riley Hohepa
Taine Robinson
Damian McKenzie
Ruben LoveMidfield
Bailyn Sullivan
Daniel Rona
Jake Te Hiwi
Quinn Tupaea
Billy Proctor
Rieko IoaneOutside Backs
Cole Forbes
Tana Tuhakaraina
Corey Evans
Shaun Stevenson
Jonah Lowe
Zarn SullivanLooking at a top 23 (using only non-All Blacks) of:
1 Ollie Norris
2 Kurt Eklund
3 Marcel Renata
4 Isaiah Walker-Leawere
5 Laghlan McWhannell
6 TK Howden
7 Jahrome Brown
8 Cullen Grace
9 Sam Nock
10 Rivez Reihana
11 Jonah Lowe
12 Daniel Rona
13 Bailyn Sullivan
14 Shaun Stevenson
15 Corey Evans16 ???
17 Pouri Rakete-Stones
18 Benet Kumeroa
19 Caleb Delany
20 Nikora Broughton
21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
22 Taine Robinson
23 Cole Forbes -
@Tim said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish Are any of the MP players qualified?
As far as I'm aware, Jackson Garden-Bachop is the only MP player with Maori heritage. I believe he's trying to play for Samoa, however (and I don't think MP players can be selected for NZ rep sides for the first time anyway, and he's not very good).
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@Tim said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish Are any of the MP players qualified?
As far as I'm aware, Jackson Garden-Bachop is the only MP player with Maori heritage. I believe he's trying to play for Samoa, however (and I don't think MP players can be selected for NZ rep sides for the first time anyway, and he's not very good).
@Mr-Fish I'd rather pick Robinson over JGB. Robinson I thought looked quite sharp in his most recent SR game when he started.
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As a futile exercise in nothingness, this is what a Pacific All Blacks side (without any Maori players, or likely All Blacks) could look like, if they ever got one off the ground...
1 George Bower
2 Ioane Moananu
3 Saula Ma'u
4 Josh Lord
5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi
6 Samipeni Finau
7 Du'Plessis Kirifi
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Folau Fakatava
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
12 Timoci Tavatavanawai
13 AJ Lam
14 Caleb Tangitau
15 Etene Nanai-Seturo16 Soane Vikena
17 Josh Fusitu'a
18 Tevita Mafileo
19 Jimmy Tupou
20 Christian Lio-Willie
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Xavi Taele
23 Gideon Wrampling -
As a futile exercise in nothingness, this is what a Pacific All Blacks side (without any Maori players, or likely All Blacks) could look like, if they ever got one off the ground...
1 George Bower
2 Ioane Moananu
3 Saula Ma'u
4 Josh Lord
5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi
6 Samipeni Finau
7 Du'Plessis Kirifi
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Folau Fakatava
10 Stephen Perofeta
11 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
12 Timoci Tavatavanawai
13 AJ Lam
14 Caleb Tangitau
15 Etene Nanai-Seturo16 Soane Vikena
17 Josh Fusitu'a
18 Tevita Mafileo
19 Jimmy Tupou
20 Christian Lio-Willie
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Xavi Taele
23 Gideon Wrampling -
@Mr-Fish said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
4 Josh Lord
Just out of curiosity, what is Josh Lord's heritage
@Trig said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
4 Josh Lord
Just out of curiosity, what is Josh Lord's heritage
NZ and Cook Islands.
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@Mr-Fish said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@booboo said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
Any whakapapa for Gideon Wrampling?
Unfortunately not.
Poo
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Should see Zach Gallagher also feature for the NZ Māori
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@Mr-Fish said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@booboo said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
Any whakapapa for Gideon Wrampling?
Unfortunately not.
Poo
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Should see Zach Gallagher also feature for the NZ Māori
@Fredsaua12 said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
Should see Zach Gallagher also feature for the NZ Māori
That would surprise me given he's heading overseas and lock is one of the few positions that MABs have plenty of options. Is Gallagher definitely eligible?
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@Fredsaua12 said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
Should see Zach Gallagher also feature for the NZ Māori
That would surprise me given he's heading overseas and lock is one of the few positions that MABs have plenty of options. Is Gallagher definitely eligible?
@Mr-Fish yeah he’s definitely eligible. Māori ABs in the past have often selected players heading off shore as the pool isn’t as large to select from. But with lock/6 depth being decent he might not get a run
