 Gibbes made his debut for the All Blacks against England last year |
All Blacks flanker Jono Gibbes will skipper a strong New Zealand Maori side for the game against Fiji on Friday. Gibbes joins Carl Hayman and Marty Holah for the contest which is being used as a warm-up for their match with the British & Irish Lions on 11 June.
Centre Luke McAlister and scrum-half Piri Weepu, who have both toured with the All Blacks, will join Holah in making their NZ Maori debuts.
"We expect Fiji to play a physical game," said Maori coach Matt Te Pou.
"We are all aware of Fiji's attack out wide, but they also have a big and strong forward pack and this team has been selected with that in mind."
Fly-half Carlos Spencer was not considered as he is playing in the Martin Johnson testimonial at Twickenham.
The Canterbury trio of Leon MacDonald, Caleb Ralph and Rico Gear were all rested following their victorious Super 12 final on Saturday.
NZ Maori: S Paku; H Pedersen, R Tipoki, L McAlister, N Brew; D Hill, P Weepu; D Manu, S Linklater, C Hayman; R Filipo, P Tito; J Gibbes (capt), M Holah, A MacDonald.
Replacements: C Flynn, G Feek, T Waldrom, D Braid, C McGrath, R Flutey, T Ellison.