Dixon to lead Maori on northern tour

New Zealand Maori squad: Leni Apisai, Tim Bateman, Otere Black, Shane Christie, Ash Dixon (captain), Whetu Douglas, Jason Emery, Chris Eves, Tom Franklin, Billy Guyton, Kane Hames, Akira Ioane, Mike Kainga, James Lowe, Ben May, Marty McKenzie, Leighton Price, Reed Prinsep, Matt Proctor, Kara Pryor, Marcel Renata, Joe Royal, Jacob Skeen, Sean Wainui, Brad Weber, Ihaia West. Highlanders and Hawke’s Bay hooker Ash Dixon will lead the New Zealand Maori on their three-match tour of Chicago, Limerick and London.

Dixon was today named captain of a 26-man squad which will be coached by Colin Cooper. The opening match against the United States, a side guided by former All Blacks coach John Mitchell, will be played in Chicago on November 4.

The side will later meet Munster in Limerick, Ireland, on November 11 and will also face Harlequins in London, England, on November 16. reach the provincial level, there is a high chance they have already had some dealings with Super Rugby officials.

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With midfielder and ex-NZ Maori skipper Charlie Ngatai still recovering from concussion, Dixon has been promoted to the leadership role.

Cooper, who add one more player to the squad before they depart on Sunday night, has combined a number of old heads with a smattering of newcomers.

Former Hurricanes and Crusaders midfielder Tim Bateman, a former NZ Maori captain who played in Japan before returning to New Zealand earlier this year, is a notable inclusion. regional New Zealand who are not offered up a diet of Super Rugby on their doorstep like Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland.

The regions will still have a soft spot for the Mitre 10 Cup, but with the watering down of the intrigue and importance the numbers are dwindling.