New faces dominate NZ M¯aori tour squad
Former Australian Under 20s prop Tyrel Lomax is one of 10 new caps named in the New Zealand Ma¯ ori for their two-match end of season tour to Canada and France.
The son of former Kiwis league representative John Lomax was released from the Melbourne Rebels earlier this year after he signed with Tasman and the Highlanders and declared his future to New Zealand rugby.
The 21-year-old had a solid debut season for the Makos once his international clearance came through.
One of Lomax’s future Highlanders teammates, Jackson Hemopo, also cracked the team for the first time. Manawatu¯ ’s Hemopo broke out this season playing for the Highlanders against the British and Irish Lions and has been in top form ever since.
Two Bay of Plenty forwards lock Keepa Mewett and hooker Liam Polwart - were named for the first time, as was Northland prop Ross Wright, Counties Manukau flanker Sam Henwood, Waikato No 8 Jordan Manihera, Otago and new Blues halfback Jonathan Ruru, Wellington first five-eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop and Otago midfielder Teihorangi Walden.
Hooker Ash Dixon was named captain
Two players are left to be added to the squad which was hit by the unavailability of Otere Black, Namatahi Waa, Ben May, Matt Proctor, Jacob Skeen, Kara Pryor, Leighton Price, Elliot Dixon and Bryn Hall through injury.
But the team features a number of fringe All Blacks. Lock Tom Franklin has trained with the team this year, as has loose forward Akira Ioane.
One-test All Black Charlie Ngatai was named as an outside back, while one-test halfback Brad Weber is also in the squad.
Ihaia West and Garden-Bachop will battle for game time at first five-eighth.
Coach Clayton McMillan is leading the team for the first time having taken over from Colin Cooper. He was pleased with the squad he has assembled so far.
’’Many of our players have displayed outstanding form in the Mitre 10 Cup, and this tour gives them a great opportunity to step up another level again,’’ he said. ‘‘This short tour is a great opportunity to take the Ma¯ ori All Blacks to new audiences. It’s only the second time we have played Canada and it will be our first visit to Vancouver.’’