Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?

Mackerzzzz

Likely team for me?:

Raketie-stones
Ekland
Renata
Ah Kuoi
Walker-Leawere
Prinsep (although hopefully not)
Christie (is he eligible?)
Flanders
Perenara
Ioane
Lowe
Nankivell
Umaga-Jensen (if eligible)
Stevenson
Sullivan
Thompson
Williams
Hohneck
Lord (if eligible)
Harmon
Nock
Love or Morgan
Poihipi

Flanker seem to possibly an issue but hard to tell with who is or isn't eligible

Grooter

@Mackerzzzz for some reason I thought Lord was cook island but I don't really know

Canes4life

Howden and Moorby would be a couple good additions. I would also have Delany over Prinsep.

I don’t think Flanders and Morgan are eligible are they?

Also, Umaga-Jensen is Samoan.

Mackerzzzz

@FakatavaFuture said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

@Mackerzzzz for some reason I thought Lord was cook island but I don't really know

I have no idea I just made it all up, with people that sounded like they could be maori

Bovidae

WR have updated their referee appointment list for these games.

Maori All Blacks v Ireland
Hamilton, New Zealand
Wednesday, 29 June, 2022
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Jordan Way (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Graham Cooper (RA)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)

Maori All Blacks v Ireland
Wellington, New Zealand
Tuesday, 12 July, 2022
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: James Leckie (RA)

So using the test referees rather than Aust refs, for example.

Stargazer

So is Bryn Hall going to be the victim of both TJP and Weber not making the ABs, despite Hall having a much better season than TJP?

Bovidae

I assume this squad will be named shortly. They've gained 2 halfbacks and a prop from the ABs, although Lomax was always at long odds to make the ABs. More importantly, that haven't lost a player as a bolter to the ABs.

Dan54

@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

I assume this squad will be named shortly. They've gained 2 halfbacks and a prop from the ABs, although Lomax was always at long odds to make the ABs. More importantly, that haven't lost a player as a bolter to the ABs.

They also got Norris at prop too.

Stargazer

@Dan54 Norris was never going to make the ABs (and was already on the list for potential MABs).

Bovidae

@Dan54 Norris was never a realistic chance for the ABs. One for the future. I was thinking of Bailyn Sullivan.

bobily2

I guess Ratima also misses out on this squad, which is a shame

Machpants

When's the team named, they're playing first, right?

Bovidae

@bobily2 said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

I guess Ratima also misses out on this squad, which is a shame

Yeah, even if McMillan picks 3 halfbacks Ratima might be the one who misses out.

Stargazer

@Machpants I heard that the team would be named today. I was a bit surprised they didn't name the squad after the ABs squad was named.

Stargazer

@Bovidae They (MABs) never pick three halfbacks for just two games in NZ. One may be on stand-by, but not in the squad.

Crucial

I just read a post in the Stuff discussion that mentioned the MABs being named tomorrow.

chimoaus

Considering we have always had a huge gap behind Smith it is good we have competition at 9, even if they never reach Smith status at least they are putting pressure on each other.

Bovidae

@Stargazer If they are taking these games seriously, which they will be, I would be picking a larger squad so all players are training together. There will be less disruption if there are injuries.

bobily2

@Stargazer said in Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?:

@Machpants I heard that the team would be named today. I was a bit surprised they didn't name the squad after the ABs squad was named.

I think I heard it was tomorrow

edit: well and truly beaten to it

taniwharugby

@Stargazer given I read the reason they chose the location of the announcement was a nod to the Maori and Pacific influence in our game.

The Silver Fern

Māori All Blacks to play Ireland?