The Maori All Blacks side has just been named and glancing over the players it’s clear that any international team would kill for similar quality in the backs.
While the Maori may struggle slightly against the Lions’ tight five, their backs are just bottled excitement.
Imagine this as the likely Maori backline:
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Otere Black (replaced late by Ihaia West)
11. James Lowe
12. Charlie Ngatai
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
15. Damian McKenzie
Every one of those players, with the possible exception of the No.10s, would be a nailed down starter in every other international team, but none of them can get a start in the All Blacks.
James Lowe is possibly the form winger in Super Rugby, ebullient, creative and with a huge kick, but he is so far down the New Zealand pecking order that he is off to become an Irishman.
The Lions’ only chance against the Maori will be to keep it tight. They cannot allow any kicking which might allow this backline to counter attack, or they will be standing under their posts all day.
My decision to attend the Maori, Chiefs and first Lions Test is looking like resulting in a week of wild excitement, and the rugby should be pretty good too. I can’t wait.
Here is the full Maori team:
Chris Eves, Kane Hames, Mike Kainga, Ben May, Marcel Renata, Ash Dixon (c), Hika elliot, Tom Franklin, Leighton Price, Joe Wheeler, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Liam Meesam, Reed Prinsep, Kara Pryor, Bryn Hall, Otere Black, Ihaia West, Tim Bateman, Charlie Ngatai, Matt Proctor, Rieko Ioane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Declan O’Donnell, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Damian McKenzie, James Lowe, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.
zubrick
Guest
cant see the lions troubling the maoris the tests will be embarrassing
Muzzo
Guest
Yep OB, & Damien, did learn his fantastic skill set, in the deep south, mate. In, as they say, good old Sunny Southland..Hahaha
Muzzo
Guest
No Geoff, mate, I can see what RT, is getting at, & that is the welfare of a player to better himself. It's a crying shame, that he doesn't get more exposure, but in saying that, we all know the reason why this is happening. As I said, I would love to see him in the Landers environment, as would many others, like seeing him in theirs. Cheers.
Muzzo
Guest
As I agree with your statement Kirky, Bro.
Muzzo
Guest
Honestly RT, it would be a great move for Otere, even to to my Landers, I'm sure they would welcome him with open arms. But in truth, I do think he needs to consider a change of franchise, for his benefit as a whole.
Muzzo
Guest
Just saying Akari, is not Fiji, Melanesian, not Polynesian???? Cheers
Waxhead
Guest
Damian McKenzie is eligible for Maori's ? Anyway I'm tipping this Maori team to beat Lions comfortably. They'd beat Australia and England too.
SAVAGE
Guest
If you don't know them now, you'll who they are after next weekend.
TheSnake
Guest
Cullen's father, Chris stated, his father was Maori
Kirky
Roar Rookie
R/T - I reckon its the best move he could make as surely he'd be heartily sick of riding the pine as he's pretty good now but with the extra game time, who knows! I read an article in the Guardian yesterday by Austin Healey, remember him as a player for the Poms and the Lions. 80s/90s I think, not much of a player either from my recollection - but he penned this article berating and giving these Lions who had just been beaten by the Blues a he'll of a rarking up on how bad they we're and should have easily put the Aucklanders away as they're the bottom of the heap in New Zealand and. if they'd played the Saracens, they would've put thirty points on the said Blues, easily!! Jeezuz! I'd like to see that! What a clown!! I watched a few of the Saracen's games and they're no better than the Blues I'm sure, and The reverse would be the case in my opinion!
Clash
Roar Pro
You mean us Scots aren't all pure bred with red hair, big noses and brains and muscles out to here!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Clash! You probably would be aware that back in the days of yore' the Poms' Scots and probably Irishmen did battle with the owners of the Land of New Zealand the Maori folk, and it's very logical that their was a Scotsman by the name of Mackenzie among the invaders who found perhaps there was other more satisfying forays than scrapping with the pesky' local menfolk!
DavSA
Guest
Here in SA one has to be very careful about these matters but that is so understandable. But generally one knows where to draw the line . If you don't it can have very quick legal consequences. But Old Bugger I officially appoint you my first Maori Chommie.. Incidentally my wife is of Indian descent and we never stop making fun of one anothers culture . In the right spirit it can be very healthy.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Jemainok! I grew up in the middle of the King Country and went right through School at that magnificent City of Ohakune, population of the time was around 400 if everyone was at home! T o say it was the best days of my youth would be an understatement in the 1940s but in those days our School was around a fairly proportionate mix of Maori kids, Pakeha kids, and Chinese kids who we're descendants of the many Market Gardeners who grew all the stuff from the ground and trained it to as a rule Auckland! We all grew up together mixed together played together, did virtually everything together, which brings me to my point! - In the cultural classes we all had to pick something that you were interested in etc. So as most of my mates we're of Maori heritage, I chose to do Maori Culture and Language coupled together with everything that went with it, so I was in the Maori Culture group for all the years I was at School and. made an absolute point of studying the Culture Maori in almost all forms! I have always had an inherent interest in my wonderful fellow Countrymen as in. my. eyes we are all Brothers and Sisters under that gorgeous 'long white cloud'! - I can understand the Language better than I can speak it as I've always been of the opinion that "my Maori Brothers and Sisters we're made to learn my Culture, why shouldn't I learn theirs"? thanks for that lesson though and it just adds to my knowledge base of all things Maori!
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Everything finishes around Otahuhu...
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
'Alternative to noise silence' as the ex president of the usa will say.. sorry soon to be ex p...
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Very true..
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Lindsay thanks for that ~ I was well aware of the Ioane Bros' surname being of Island origin as that was my point mate, so as their Mother is Maori all good for us Kiwis! I was at a Kiwi get together last night here in Perth and had a few beers with Damian McKenzie's Aunty and Uncle and his Aunty is a close Cuz from the deep South and she's of the typically beautiful Maori appearance as is Damos' Uncle, But her blood Sister with the same parents is as Pakeha looking as me and that's white mate! Strange but beautifully strange and really cool people (they drink Carlton Draught) ~ but there's been numerous rugby and any other sports with examples of the very same thing, ~ Blonde and blue eyes with freckles on his or hers' fair skin with a Maori name - front name and back name!
Old Bugger
Guest
moa Yeah, I was concerned also. But, Nick Briant is a DH anyway and IMO, he didn't have his best match, once again. There must be a rugby devil somewhere cos the Chiefs, always end up with DH kiwi refs. Anyway, a close win and with the Chiefs-Brumbies next up while the Canes have the Saders, these last round match-ups will probably determine, who finishes 2nd in the NZ conference. Funny if the Chiefs do cos, they will have to play the Brumbies again in Canberra, in the QF.
davSA
Guest
Quin if I in any way have offended you culturally with my comments then I absolutely apologise. I can assure you that there was no malice , ill feeling or insult intended . I was poking fun at my own . I do have to say I have a preconceived notion of what a Maori is and just did not see Mackenzie fitting that picture . But concur I may be quite uninformed and ignorant.