2021 Māori All Blacks

[Crucial]

@bovidae said in 2021 Māori All Blacks:

Heem is on the wrong side of 30.

McMillan is being loyal to those players that have served him well in recent seasons. I have no problem with that.

Short period of time to work stuff out as well.

[taniwharugby]

@stargazer yeah he did his hammy in the NPC semi final.

@Bovidae I dont think Ross Wright has even played for Wellsford this season yet.

[Bovidae]

@nepia said in 2021 Māori All Blacks:

Is Heem Maori?

He's not.

https://www.teaomaori.news/akl-itms-bryce-heem-takes-field-against-former-team

[Stargazer]

@nepia said in 2021 Māori All Blacks:

Is Heem Maori? I thought he was PI.

I was going to say "I don't know" (I named him more as someone who could be), but @Bovidae has already answered the question.

So even fewer outside backs to choose from.

[cgrant]

@stargazer said in 2021 Māori All Blacks:

The 2021 squad has been named:

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Māori All Blacks Coach Clayton McMillan has named a strong squad ahead of their two-match series against Manu Samoa.

It will be the first time the sides have met since 2008, with matches at Sky Stadium in Wellington (June 26) and an exciting double header alongside the All Blacks and Tonga at Mt Smart in Auckland (July 3).

The squad features two debutants, 21-year-old Waikato and Chiefs prop Ollie Norris along with Otago and Highlanders loose forward Josh Dickson.

McMillan is joined in the coaching group again by Roger Randle and for the first time, Chris Gibbes, from the Hurricanes.

Established squad announced for Māori All Blacks campaign

Māori All Blacks Coach Clayton McMillan has named a strong squad ahead of their two-match series against Manu Samoa.

So Pari Pari Parkinson won't be an All Black in July. He's been consistently good this year and I thought his frame and power could have been useful for the AB pack.

[taniwharugby]

@cgrant I've been underwhelmed by him, big unit but doesn't play like it.

[Canes4life]

@bovidae I’ve heard that TJ is keen to make his return for Wellington in the NPC.

[Bovidae]

@canes4life said in 2021 Māori All Blacks:

@bovidae I’ve heard that TJ is keen to make his return for Wellington in the NPC.

So he can't play for the ABs or Maori before then. If TJP did play club rugby this weekend, in theory, he should then be eligible for both teams straight away.

[Canes4life]

@bovidae wouldn’t be surprised at all if he played for Norths this weekend to give him that option but I’d be very surprised if he gets selected on Monday.

I’ve heard he wants to play for Wellington, and fair play to him aswell. I feel all Japan based players should re-earn their stripes at provincial level so to speak before being selected in the ABs (unless injuries strike of course). But that’s just me.

[Stargazer]

With Tupaea named in the ABs squad, I assume they'll need a new addition to the Māori All Blacks midfield.

I assume Poihipi will be the main candidate?

[Tim]

@stargazer Any of your Hawkes boys?

[Stargazer]

@tim Lowe is already in the squad as an outside back, and Ili, Fomai and Toala are Samoan.

[Bovidae]

They are in camp so will McMillan add another halfback and hooker? There is probably enough cover for these two games with Wainui and Lowe able to move into centre.

[Stargazer]

@bovidae Harris and Ruru?

Kereru-Symes and Enari?

[Nepia]

@tim said in 2021 Māori All Blacks:

@stargazer Any of your Hawkes boys?

They should add Sullivan (who should have been in the first squad) and Lowe and Wainu can cover midfield.

Seriously, how the fudge did Sullivan not make this team? Ennor made the flipping ABs off less games.

[Bovidae]

Rameka Poihipi is Tupaea's replacement.

[Bovidae]

[Stargazer]

It looks like there are several new faces added to the Māori All Blacks squad as injury and All Blacks cover:

Rameka Poihipi, Jacob Norris ( Ta$man/flanker), Caleb Delany (Wellington/lock)

[KiwiMurph]

I wonder if the first fixture is now moved or played in front of no fans?

[Stargazer]

@kiwimurph I don't think they can move a game on such short notice. As to playing without crowds: I don't think they'll take that decision today! They'll wait for results of day 5 testing.