M¯aori shuffle lineup for return clash with Fiji

New Zealand Ma¯ ori rugby coach Clayton McMillan has made five personnel changes to his starting lineup for tomorrow night’s revenge match against Fiji in Rotorua.

The Ma¯ ori were upset 27-10 in the first leg of the two-game series in Suva last weekend, which was their first defeat to Fiji since 1957, and just their second loss in the past 16 years.

McMillan has given the same 23 players the chance to bounce back this weekend, but has made several tweaks to the run-on side, including the benching of All Blacks hopefuls Akira Ioane and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.

Ioane, who had few opportunities to shine in the firstup outing, is replaced at No 8 by Whetukamokamo Douglas, while there is one other change to the forward pack, with lock Pari Pari Parkinson also promoted from the bench, in place of Isaia Walker-Leawere.

In the backline, Bryn Hall and Alex Nankivell earn starts following fine bench cameos in Suva. They replace Tahuriorangi at halfback and Teihorangi Walden at second five-eighth, respectively.

Fletcher Smith drops from fullback to the bench, with Shaun Stevenson shifting from wing to the No 15 jersey, and Jordan Hyland coming onto the flank.

Props Haereiti Hetet/Pouri Rakete-Stones have been bracketed on the bench.

Fiji’s high-tempo, expansive game terrorised the Ma¯ori in Suva.

McMillan said they came away knowing they had a lot of work to do, but that there were positives they had clung to as well, as they try and produce a much better showing.

‘‘The focus for us this week has been to sharpen our combinations and obviously we need to have a solid defence as well as an assertive attacking game if we are going to get the better of Fiji,’’ he said.

‘‘They are a highly skilled and organised side. We will want to show more of our flair, but we have to nail our structure up front if we want to be competitive.’’

New Zealand Ma¯ ori: Shaun Stevenson, Jordan Hyland, Rob Thompson, Alex Nankivell, Sean Wainui, Otere Black, Bryn Hall; Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitch Karpik, Reed Prinsep, Pari Pari Parkinson, Tom Franklin, Tyrel Lomax, Ash Dixon (c), Ross Wright. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Haereiti Hetet/Pouri RaketeStones, Marcel Renata, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Akira Ioane, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Fletcher Smith, Teihorangi Walden.