Kurt Eklund will captain the Māori All Blacks. Photo: Photosport
The Māori All Blacks have a new captain and 11 uncapped players for two matches against the Japan XV in Tokyo and Scotland in Whangārei.
Hooker Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu) in his first time as Māori All Blacks captain will lead a 29-strong squad that includes new caps, which range from 20-year-old Blues midfielder Xavi Taele, the youngest member of the squad, to 31-year-old Gisborne-born, Taranaki prop Jared Proffit.
Head coach Ross Filipo said 32-year-old Aucklander Eklund was the right fit for captain.
"This team demands a strong leader with mana, and Kurt has shown that quality and more over a long period of time, for the Māori All Blacks, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and the Blues. He has a lot of experience throughout the squad and that will be a strength for what will be two tough matches."
Māori Rugby board member Rob Clark (Waikato, Ngāti Tiipa) said the team and the board had a role in protecting the kaupapa and the identity of Māori rugby.
"Māori rugby is the vehicle we use to express our indigenous identity. It holds the health and wellbeing of our people at the forefront, following in the pathways that have been paved before us and those that will follow. This team allows us to express our kaupapa to the world, to inspire all people and protect the taonga that is rugby in Aotearoa."
The squad has assembled in Auckland to begin their campaign preparations before leaving for Japan on 25 June.
The game againt the Japan XV in Tokyo is on 28 June and Scotland in Whangarei on 5 July.
Māori All Blacks squad
(iwi, province, Super Rugby club) * denotes new cap
Props:
Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)
Jared Proffit* (Ngāti Porou/Taranaki/Chiefs)
Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes)
Kershawl Sykes-Martin* (Ngāti Porou/Tasman/Crusaders)
Mason Tupaea* (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru/Waikato/Blues)
Hookers:
Jacob Devery* (Te Aitanga a Mahaki/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes)
Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu/Bay of Plenty/Blues)
Locks:
Zach Gallagher* (Te Ātiawa/Canterbury/Hurricanes)
Laghlan McWhannell (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Blues)
Antonio Shalfoon* (Whakatōhea/Tasman/Crusaders)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou/Hawke's Bay/Hurricanes)
Loose forwards:
Nikora Broughton (Ngārauru, Ngāti Ruanui/Bay of Plenty/Highlanders)
Jahrome Brown* (Ngāti Porou/Waikato/Chiefs)
Caleb Delany (Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Wellington/Hurricanes)
Cullen Grace (Ngāti Whakaue/Canterbury/Crusaders)
Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe/Manawatū/Highlanders)
Halfbacks:
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara* (Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Porou/Auckland)
Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi/Northland/Blues)
First five-eighths:
Rivez Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine/Northland/Crusaders)
Kaleb Trask (Ngāpuhi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)
Midfield:
Corey Evans (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu/Northland/Blues)
Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Hurricanes)
Daniel Rona (Te Ātiawa/Taranaki/Chiefs)
Xavi Taele* (Ngāi Tahu/Auckland/Blues)
Gideon Wrampling* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine/Waikato/Chiefs)
Outside Backs:
Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Blues)
Jonah Lowe (Ngāti Pikiao/Hawke's Bay/Highlanders)
Zarn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Hawke's Bay/Blues)
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