 The Maori will provide formidable opposition for the Lions |
Coach Matt Te Pou is hoping to field the strongest-ever New Zealand Maori team when they face the Lions on their tour of New Zealand in June. For the first time since he became involved, Te Pou will be able to call on every eligible player, including current All Blacks such as Carl Hayman.
"This will be the strongest team on paper that I've ever had," said Te Pou.
He will announce his 24-man squad on 22 May, with the Maori side facing Sir Clive Woodward's Lions on 11 June.
Te Pou told New Zealand newspaper the Waikato Times he is excited by the chance to send out a team which is truly representative of the strength of Maori rugby.
"I've been involved with the team since 1994 and we've never had all our All Blacks available, although we are still close to a 90% win record in that time," said the coach.
"Our forward pack will have a lot of All Blacks with a lot of experience and we're going to need that.
"The Lions have a lot of experience in their pack - guys who have come through a World Cup campaign and are experienced in trench warfare."
The Maori team will warm up for the Lions game by playing Fiji in Suva on Friday, 3 June.
The Lions kick off their tour the following day with a match against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua.
MMIX
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