‘We’re all connected through blood’

When the Ma¯ori All Blacks take to the field against Moana Pasifika in Hamilton tonight, therewill be a team unity stronger and more unique than any other rugby side in the world.

While you’ll hear All Blacks talk about ‘‘playing for the jersey’’, representing the Ma¯ori All Blacks sees players embrace an even richer, deeper, tangible bond.

‘‘The difference is that in this team we’re all connected through blood,’’ veteran loose forward Liam Messam told Stuff.

‘‘And that sets us apart from any other team here in New Zealand, that we’re connected through DNA.

‘‘Obviously the All Blacks is the pinnacle for any player here in New Zealand. But I’m also very proud to be ama¯ori All Black.’’

The 36-year-old, who affiliates to

Liam Messam

the Nga¯i Tuhoe iwi, will start at No 8 inwhat could be the last game in his professional career, and whatwill be his first outing for the Ma¯ori in three years.

‘‘It’s a huge honour,’’ he says of what it means to wear the jersey. ‘‘It also comes with a lot of responsibility for us. But it’s a responsibility we’re very proud to take upon, and we can go out there and all be role models for our youth coming through.

‘‘You’re playing for the Ma¯ori, you’re playing for your family, you’re playing for your iwi, you’re playing for your people. It’s something that’s really unique, and really special to New Zealand rugby, thisma¯ori team.’’

Just ask winger Sean Wainui how special it is – the man who scored three tries across the two games against Fiji last year.

‘‘It’s a team I’ve dreamed to play for, as a little kid,’’ the 25-year-old Whatatutu-born, Taranaki and Chiefs rep told Stuff. ‘‘I always used to watch them, pretty much religiously.

‘‘So to be able to make it my first time, back in 2015, was probably the best day of my life. And to be able to make it again, the feelings of excitement never go away.

‘‘It’s so special for me because I get to represent my whanau, all my people. To be able to do that on the world rugby stage is just awesome. Proud as.’’

Wainui affiliates to Nga¯i Tuhoe, Nga¯ Ariki Kaiputahi and Nga¯ti Porou, and says it is ‘‘a privilege’’ to be in a team which burns a whole new desire.

‘‘Ever since I’ve played, there’s a bit more about yourself and your family and get a better understanding, and connect to your spiritual side, because as Ma¯ori we’re very spiritually connected to those things.’’

That kaumatua is Luke Crawford. He has been the Ma¯ori All Blacks cultural advisor for 10 years, then in 2018 expanded that role to be Ma¯ori cultural advisor for New Zealand Rugby.

For more than an hour a day he takes the team through karakia (prayer), waiata (singing), haka, and tells them stories.

‘‘It’s awesome, because we get to enhance our Ma¯ori side, and get the right tikanga, which is protocols, for the group,’’ Wainui says.

‘‘And that pretty muchmakes our team, the uniqueness of our team. No other team in the world would be doing this.

‘‘All that stuff is really enjoyable and really good for all the boys who come in and don’t really get that

‘‘You’re playing for your family, you’re playing for your iwi, you’re playing for your people.’’

‘‘We wear all our people on us, all our past players, all our ancestors.’’

Seanwainui, top left with Reed Prinsep, top right on the guitar during a marae visit