Māori All Blacks 2025
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If, as has been noted in a few places, Laghlan McWhannell is playing for the Barbarians next weekend then he presumably won't be playing in either match for the Maori, which is a shame. But a game against South Africa is arguably more valuable than one against each of Scotland and Japan.
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@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
With Norris in the AB squad, Mason Tupaea will have to be one of the props now. He was an injury replacement in Japan last year.
Can’t think of too many other options at loosehead. Possibly Josh Bartlett?
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There could be surprises as you never know who qualifies. Maybe Proffit?
Based on last year, you would expect Rakete-Stones and Renata will start with Tupaea and Kumeroa as subs. Obviously the reserves are considerably weaker/less experienced at SR level. They will need a fifth prop and the backup hooker to Eklund is an unknown.
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@Landers92 said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
With Norris in the AB squad, Mason Tupaea will have to be one of the props now. He was an injury replacement in Japan last year.
Can’t think of too many other options at loosehead. Possibly Josh Bartlett?
Bartlett isn't eligible. No idea about Jared Proffit but presume he doesn't qualify otherwise he would've been there last year, you would think.
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@Mauss said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
and the backup hooker to Eklund is an unknown.
Maybe they'll go for Taine Kolose? Would be an interesting option.
I had thought about Kolose, but I'm not sure if he is eligible. Last year Filipo selected Thompson who was leaving for RL. It might end up being an NPC player.
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@Mauss said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
I had thought about Kolose, but I'm not sure if he is eligible.
A quick Google search showed that Kolose played for a Māori 17s rep team in league, around 2020. So I figured he'd be eligible.
Hopefully he gets the nod ahead of Apisai then.
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@Landers92 said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
With Norris in the AB squad, Mason Tupaea will have to be one of the props now. He was an injury replacement in Japan last year.
Can’t think of too many other options at loosehead. Possibly Josh Bartlett?
This is why the Maori concept is fucking stupid as it is currently being used.
Just merge the ABXV and Maori and allow non-Maori to play for them.
If we are going to have a Maori team, they can have games against the islands and let's get the ABXV playing these games.
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Kershawl Sykes-Martin can play both sides of the scrum. Suspect he must be in the mix if fit
