Maori get ABs for Lions showdown
THE torrid British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand just got tougher, with New Zealand Maori set to be bolstered by All Blacks for their match against the tourists in Rotorua.
Just as they did in Chicago last year before the test against Ireland, it is understood the All Blacks will again release players within the 33-man squad not needed for their warm-up match, expected to be against Samoa in Auckland on June 16.
In Chicago the Maori team, which thrashed the USA 54-7, included All Blacks Elliot Dixon, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie and Kane Hames.
All five could again be released for the Maori team hell bent on repeating their memorable and historic 19-13 triumph over the Lions in Hamilton in 2005 under Matt Te Pou. This time around the Lions and Maori match is one day after the All Blacks are due to take on Samoa.
There is also a chance Nehe Milner-Skudder, who is still struggling to bear weight on his broken foot, could feature if he does not recover in time to make the initial All Blacks squad.
In what is sure to be an emotionally-charged occasion, Colin Cooper’s stacked Maori team is likely to feature former All Blacks blindside and Chiefs centurion Liam Messam, along with James Lowe, Akira Ioane, Matt Proctor and possibly Charlie Ngatai, who made his longawaited return from concussion after a year out of the game in Waikato club rugby yesterday.
Even if Kerr-Barlow is not released, Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara both qualify for the Maori.
Leading into their test against ONLINE For the result and match report from the Force v Chiefs game last night, go to Samoa, the All Blacks will be conscious of the workload some Crusaders players in particular have shouldered after what will be a nine-week stretch without a bye. The likes of Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock and Owen Franks may be in need of a spell.
But other than that Steve Hansen is expected to field close to his strongest lineup in a bid to get a genuine hit-out one week before the first test against the Lions at Eden Park.
The move to release All Blacks fits the picture of viewing NZ Maori as a high performance team, one capable of promoting REUTERS and developing players for higher honours. Many non-capped players are seen to be knocking on the All Blacks door.
Cooper has a strong working relationship with the All Blacks, and allowing the likes of KerrBarlow and McKenzie to play for the Maori would mean they are match fit and ready to go should injuries strike.
Lions coach Warren Gatland is also expected to run a shadow test team against the Maori, increasing the quality of the anticipated match that has been dubbed the unofficial fourth test.
Releasing All Blacks for the Maori team also means the Lions will now be preparing to face three full-strength teams outside of the test matches.
As reported previously by Fairfax, the Blues and Crusaders, the Lions’ second and third matches, will also feature the full cast of their respective All Blacks.
Gatland made it clear he is prepared to sacrifice midweek matches in order to target winning the three test series.
If the Lions are even slightly complacent or not totally up for the contest in Rotorua, Cooper’s Maori men, boosted by the presence of All Blacks, will take full advantage.
Solomona recently completed the three-year residency period to make him eligible for England.
The RFU, however, wants that rule extended to five years – a measure which will be voted on by the World Rugby Council at their Kyoto summit next month.
‘‘I don’t see it as hypocritical,’’ Ritchie said of Solomona’s recent selection.
‘‘The current rule is three years. We checked very carefully that Denny hits the current qualification. Why therefore would one not pick him?
‘‘If he qualifies, and is currently qualified, there is nothing at all inconsistent with saying ‘that’s fine you have to pick him’.
‘‘When it comes up in Kyoto in May we will be supporting five years. I simply see it as here is a rule, we adhere to this rule and we also believe it is right to change it and have been lobbying to change it. When it changes we will adhere to that rule. End of.’’ - PA