Six new caps in Māori All Blacks squad

Above: Leni Apisai, who plays for the Northern United club in Wellington, is one of six new caps in the squad that leaves on Sunday.

The Māori All Blacks squad to tour to Chicago, London and Ireland next month has been named, featuring six new caps.

Then new players named are Leni Apisai (Wellington), Whetu Douglas (Waikato), Billy Guyton (Tasman), Leighton Price (Taranaki), Reed Prinsep (Canterbury) and Kara Pryor (Northland).

Māori All Blacks Head Coach Colin Cooper (Ngāti Pūkenga/Ngāti Porou) congratulated all those selected.

“This is an exciting time for all those involved in this special team.

“We’re delighted with the squad we have announced today – we think there’s an incredible mix of experience and very wise heads, and a special crop of new talent that has been exciting to watch.

“This team continues to be an important opportunity for players looking to push for higher honours.

“We are particularly delighted for Rieko Ioane who was named for the first time with the All Blacks on Sunday – and he joins several Māori All Blacks who have earned a call up to the All Blacks in recent years – Nehe Milner Skudder, Codie Taylor, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Joe Moody, Brad Weber, Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire, Damian McKenzie and last year’s skipper Charlie Ngatai currently unavailable due to concussion.”

Ash Dixon will take over from Charlie Ngatai in the captain’s role.

“It’s also good that both teams are in Chicago and the United Kingdom at the same time, so that we can retain that alignment,” Cooper said.

“We are looking forward to heading to Chicago to play the USA Eagles. Playing any national side is an honour, and they’re a team that’s really cementing their place in international rugby.

“Our matches against Munster and Harlequins will also be very special as we love taking the Māori All Blacks’ style of rugby to other countries.”

.The squad flies out on Sunday night.

The 2016 Māori All Blacks squad is (with * to denote new cap):

Leni Apisai * - Wellington - Ngāti Awa
Tim Bateman - Canterbury - Ngāi Tahu
Otere Black - Manawatu - Ngāi Tuhoe / Te Whānau ā Apanui / Ngāti Tūwharetoa
Shane Christie - Tasman - Te Ati Haunui ā Pāpārangi / Ngāti Kurawhatia
Ash Dixon, Captain - Hawkes Bay - Ngāti Tahinga
Whetu Douglas * - Waikato - Ngāti Porou / Ngāti Whakaue
Jason Emery - Manawatu - Ngāti Haua / Ngāti Maniapoto
Chris Eves - Manawatu - Waikato / Tainui
Tom Franklin - Otago - Ngāti Maniapoto
Billy Guyton * - Tasman - Ngāpuhi / Ngāti Pikiao / Ngāti Raukawa
Kane Hames - Tasman - Ngāi Tuhoe / Ngāti Porou
Akira Ioane - Auckland - Ngāpuhi / Te Whānau ā Apanui
Mike Kainga - Taranaki - Ngāti Kahungunu
James Lowe - Tasman - Ngāpuhi / Ngāi Te Rangi
Ben May - Hawkes Bay - Ngāti Maniapoto
Marty McKenzie - Taranaki - Ngāti Tūwharetoa / Ngāti Tahinga
Leighton Price * - Taranaki - Waikato / Ngāti Maniapoto
Reed Prinsep * - Canterbury - Te Rārawa -
Matt Proctor - Wellington - Ngāi Te Rangi / Ngāpuhi
Kara Pryor * -Northland - Ngāti Awa / Ngāti Pikiao / Ngāti Rangitihi
Marcel Renata - Auckland - Ngāti Whānaunga / Te Aupouri
Joe Royal - Bay of Plenty - Te Arawa / Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei / Ngāpuhi
Jacob Skeen - Waikato - Ngāpuhi
Sean Wainui - Taranaki - Ngāi Tuhoe / Te Āitanga a Māhaki / Ngā Arikikaiputahi / Ngāti Porou
Brad Weber - Hawkes Bay - Ngāti Porou
Ihaia West - Hawkes Bay - Ngāti Kahungunu / Ngāti Porou

Māori All Blacks 2016 Match schedule

• Friday 4 November v USA Eagles, Toyota Park, Chicago
• Friday 11 November v Munster, Thomond Park, Limerick
• Wednesday 16 November v Harlequins, Twickenham Stoop, London