Three debutants for NZ Ma¯ori
New Zealand Ma¯ori coach Clayton McMillan has named three uncapped players for the second and final match of their northern tour.
A week after trouncing Canada 51-9 in Vancouver, McMillan has rotated his players for the match against the French Barbarians in Bordeaux tomorrow morning (NZT).
Bay of Plenty lock Keepa Mewett will make his debut in the run-on side while Otago halfback Jonathan Ruru and Highlanders midfielder Tei Walden stand to earn their first caps from the bench.
New Hurricanes signing Jackson Garden-Bachop, who came off the bench and scored against Canada, replaces Ihaia West in one of two changes in the backs. Chiefs
wing Shaun Stevenson replaced Ambrose Curtis.
McMillan admitted his side was banged up after their comprehensive win against Canada, both
has from the physicality of the match and from playing on artificial turf.
‘‘The astro turf, while it’s nice to play on, it has its downsides,’’ he said. ‘‘There are a number of boys sporting some nasty grazes and we picked up a couple of injuries in the game.’’
The first-year coach is demanding better ball retention from his side against the French Barbarians, and also wants to see their basic skill-set improve.
‘‘We’re expecting the French to want to take our side up front, to be direct, but it would be remiss of us to think they aren’t going to play traditional Barbarians rugby at some stage and look to give it some air, which is French rugby, let alone Barbarians rugby’’ McMillan said.
His decision to bring Ruru into the 23 for Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, and to switch Garden-Bachop and West was down to size.