2021 Māori All Blacks
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Are there significant omissions in the above list? Have I forgotten anyone?
The difference between squads for June/July matches and November/December matches is that the selection for the first are largely based on Super Rugby selection and performance, while for the latter, playing NPC will also play a role.
Which team would you pick from the above list?
I'd probably go for:
1 Pouri Rakete-Stones
2 Ash Dixon (c)
3 Tamaiti Williams
4 Isaia Walker-Leawere
5 Pari Pari Parkinson
6 Whetukamokamo Douglas
7 Billy Harmon
8 Liam Messam
9 Bryn Hall
10 Otere Black
11 Jonah Lowe
12 Quinn Tupaea
13 Billy Proctor
14 Sean Wainui
15 Zarn Sullivan16 Kurt Eklund
17 Josh Hohneck
18 Marcel Renata
19 Manaaki Selby-Rickit
20 Reed Prinsep
21 Sam Nock
22 Ruben Love
23 Shaun Stevenson or Bailyn Sullivan -
@stargazer I wouldn't be so sure Lomax makes the AB squad so he might be better to play for the Maori. Hohneck starts, as he did against MP.
Josh Ioane would be in the 23 ahead of Love.
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@bovidae You may be right, but I wrote down a list (in my second post) of who I would select, not who I expect to be named by McMillan.
I tried to pick a slightly younger squad - where possible - so started Williams and Rakete-Stones (esp. because they've now more Super Rugby experience than before the MP game). You're probably right about Ioane, although he played for MP and not MABs, and hasn't set the world on fire for quite a while now. Love is probably a bit too green, though. -
@bovidae said in 2021 Māori All Blacks:
@stargazer I wouldn't be so sure Lomax makes the AB squad so he might be better to play for the Maori. Hohneck starts, as he did against MP.
Josh Ioane would be in the 23 ahead of Love.
I’d actually start him in the starting lineup at either 10 or 15.
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@act-crusader how's Connor Garden-Bachop coming along? I'd have him at somewhere in that 23 if he's available.
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@canes4life he's out for the season i think
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@kiwiwomble hopefully back for the NPC then.
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@stargazer Good timing for me, as I'll be up in Wellington for the marathon that weekend so definitely will head along to that. Never been to a rugby game there either (only been to a football game there).
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It will be interesting to see if he goes back to Wellington. In an article in April, he said his provincial future was still to be sorted out.
Garden-Bachop making impact for his father’s team
His old man was Highlander No1. He is Highlander No300. So 298 players have passed through the Highlanders doors between father and son in the...
"His provincial future is up in the air but he is signed up with the Highlanders until next year."
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@southernmann i would be very happy to hear he'd signed with Otago
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@kiwimurph said in 2021 Māori All Blacks:
With such logjam of loosies in the AB mix i'd expect to see Akira released to play for Maori ABs allowing ABs to get a look at other loosies (Blackadder etc).
After his efforts in black last season, I expect he will be given first crack this year.
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The 2021 squad has been named:
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Māori All Blacks Coach Clayton McMillan has named a strong squad ahead of their two-match series against Manu Samoa.
It will be the first time the sides have met since 2008, with matches at Sky Stadium in Wellington (June 26) and an exciting double header alongside the All Blacks and Tonga at Mt Smart in Auckland (July 3).
The squad features two debutants, 21-year-old Waikato and Chiefs prop Ollie Norris along with Otago and Highlanders loose forward Josh Dickson.McMillan is joined in the coaching group again by Roger Randle and for the first time, Chris Gibbes, from the Hurricanes.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/established-squad-announced-for-maori-all-blacks-campaign/
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@bovidae said in 2021 Māori All Blacks:
I am always surprised to see some of the new players who have Maori ancestry.
Guarantees that Lomax will be in the AB squad.
And I guess it precludes a few that were fringe as well, unless injury strikes. Not many loose forwards!
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