2019 Māori All Blacks
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The curtain raiser (Maori U20 vs Fiji U20 game) is also live on Sky from 4:45 pm.
@Stargazer Have those teams been announced yet?
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Flying Fijians squad for the game in Rotorua:
1 Campese Ma’afu
2 Veremalua Vugakoto
3 Lee-Roy Atalifo
4 Tevita Ratuva
5 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu
7 Mosese Voka
8 Nemani Nagusa
9 Henry Seniloli
10 Alivereti Veitokani
11 Filipo Nakosi
12 Jale Vatubua
13 Waisea Nayacalevu
14 Patrick Osbourne
15 Kini MurimurivaluReserves
16 Samuel Matavesi
17 Joeli Veitayaki
18 Luke Tagi
19 Albert Tuisue
20 John Dyer
21 Serupepeli Vularika
22 Sevanaia Galala
23 Josh MatavesiWith so much depth in the squad, McKee has made ten changes to its run on side which defeated the Maori All Blacks 27-10 at Suva’s ANZ Stadium last weekend.
McKee said it’s important to give all the players the game time ahead of the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup and the Rugby World Cup in Japan. “It was always the intention across these two matches to give players in our squad opportunity and game time in the lead up to the PNC.” “It is important that these players grab this chance and make a strong statement,” Coach McKee said. McKee said wintry conditions in Rotorua would mean quite a different match to the hard, fast and dry ANZ Stadium last weekend. “We will need to be very patient with the ball to build pressure on the New Zealand Maori. Last week although we made many line breaks we turned over too much ball,” McKee revealed. “Ball retention and continuity to build pressure and create scoring opportunities when we are in possession along with our consistent work rate and discipline in our defensive system will be the two most important factors for us in this match,” McKee added. Fiji Rugby Chief Executive John O’Connor said the players selected for this weekend’s match have the opportunity to stake a spot in the final 31 member squad for RWC in Japan. “The team understands that we want to improve in every match and are targeting nothing than a win this week so we can continue to build momentum ahead of the PNC.” O’Connor added.
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@Machpants Giving some players a start, who were on the bench last week (particularly Hall, Douglas and Nankivell), is an improvement of the matchday squad. With a squad of only 27 players, there's not much more you can change.
Agree that they'll probably lose again, though, but I think that says more about Fiji than the MABs. Fiji has improved significantly the last few years.
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@Nepia said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
So I'm currently on a mini tour of NZ with some overseas friends and on Tuesday stopped into Ohinemutu Marae and it was full of Fijians. Turned out it was a welcome for the Fijian and Fijian U20s.
Was Aunty Suzie there serving her special pork bones and puha....
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@Nepia said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
So I'm currently on a mini tour of NZ with some overseas friends and on Tuesday stopped into Ohinemutu Marae and it was full of Fijians. Turned out it was a welcome for the Fijian and Fijian U20s.
Come along to the Maddison Trophy final at McLean Park on Saturday afternoon
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@ACT-Crusader said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
@Nepia said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
So I'm currently on a mini tour of NZ with some overseas friends and on Tuesday stopped into Ohinemutu Marae and it was full of Fijians. Turned out it was a welcome for the Fijian and Fijian U20s.
Was Aunty Suzie there serving her special pork bones and puha....
I didn't see Whaea Huhana anywhere but hopefully she was out the back during meal prep.
@Stockcar86 said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
@Nepia said in 2019 Māori All Blacks:
So I'm currently on a mini tour of NZ with some overseas friends and on Tuesday stopped into Ohinemutu Marae and it was full of Fijians. Turned out it was a welcome for the Fijian and Fijian U20s.
Come along to the Maddison Trophy final at McLean Park on Saturday afternoon
It would have been awesome to cheer on Hastings R&S over the evil Napier empire but we left the Bay today after three days of non stop eating.
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