Tasman quartet in Maori team

Four Tasman Makos players now have more than just Saturday’s premiership rugby final on their minds following their selection this week in the New Zealand Maori team.

Winger James Lowe, halfback Billy Guyton, prop Kane Hames and flanker Shane Christie were confirmed in the 26-player squad named on Tuesday for a threematch tour which kicks off against the USA Eagles at Toyota Park in Chicago on November 4.

Guyton is the only one of the Makos quartet new to Maori side and one of six new caps named for the two-week tour. The Maori side will also play Irish team Munster at Thomond Park in Limerick on November 11 before ending the tour with a match against the Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop in London on November 16.

It’ll be a tight turn-around for the Tasman players though, with the squad due to fly out of Auckland on Sunday night. The five players involved in Saturday’s premiership final also includes Canterbury flanker Reed Prinsep, with the remainder of the squad assembling in Auckland on Wednesday.

Joining Guyton and Prinsep among the new caps are Wellington’s Leni Apisai, Waikato’s Whetu Douglas, Taranaki’s Leighton Price and Northland’s Kara Pryor.

It marks a big year for Hames. Having played two games for NZ Maori in 2013, he was also called in as injury cover for the All Blacks earlier this season, earning one test cap.

Hawkes Bay’s Ash Dixon will take over from Charlie Ngatai in the captain’s role.

‘‘We continue to work closely with the All Blacks coaches to ensure that we are aligned and these selections demonstrate the strength of the Maori All Blacks as a high performance team,’’ said NZ Maori head coach Colin Cooper.

‘‘It’s also good that both teams are in Chicago and the United Kingdom at the same time, so that we can retain that alignment.’’

‘‘We are looking forward to heading to Chicago to play the USA Eagles.

‘‘Playing any national side is an honour, and they’re a team that’s really cementing their place in international rugby.’’

‘‘Our matches against Munster and Harlequins will also be very special as we love taking the Maori All Blacks’ style of rugby to other countries.’’