Rotorua International Stadium is set to come alive when the Māori All Blacks take on the British & Irish Lions on Saturday.

Head Coach Colin Cooper named his side today to face the Lions in the fifth match of the DHL New Zealand Lions Series.

The team is (*denotes new cap);

1. Kane Hames
Tasman (Ngāi Tuhoe/Ngāti Porou)

2. Ash Dixon (captain)
Hawke’s Bay (Ngāti Tahinga)

3. Ben May
Hawke’s Bay (Ngāti Maniapoto/Tainui)

4. Joe Wheeler
Tasman (Ngāi Tahu)

5. Tom Franklin
Bay of Plenty (Ngāti Maniapoto)

6. Akira Ioane
Auckland (Ngāpuhi/Te Whānau ā Apanui)

7. Elliot Dixon
Southland (Ngāpuhi)

8. Liam Messam
Waikato (Ngāi Tūhoe)

9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
Waikato (Waikato/Ngāti Maniapoto)

10. Damian McKenzie
Waikato (Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Ngāti Tahinga)

11. Rieko Ioane
Auckland (Ngāpuhi/Te Whānau ā Apanui)

12. Charlie Ngatai
Taranaki (Ngāti Porou/Te Whānau ā Apanui/Te Whakatōhea)

13. Matt Proctor
Wellington (Ngāpuhi/Ngāiterangi)

14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
Manawatu (Ngāti Porou/Tapuika)

15. James Lowe
Tasman (Ngāpuhi/Ngāi Te Rangi)

Reserves

16. Hikawera Elliot
Counties Manukau (Ngāti Awa)

17. Chris Eves
Manawatu (Waikato/Tainui)

18. Marcel Renata
Auckland (Ngāti Whānaunga/Te Aupouri

19. Leighton Price
Taranaki (Waikato/Ngāti Maniapoto)

20. Kara Pryor
Northland (Ngāti Awa/Ngāti Pikiao/Ngāti Rangitihi)

21. Bryn Hall*
North Harbour (Ngāti Ranginui)

22. Ihaia West
Hawke’s Bay (Ngāti Kahungunu/Ngāti Porou)

23. Rob Thompson*
Canterbury (Ngāti Kahungunu)

Hawke’s Bay’s Ash Dixon will captain the side which features just two new caps in reserves, Bryn Hall and Rob Thompson.

All Blacks Akira Ioane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Rieko Ioane have all been included in the starting line-up, which also features players Cooper said had adapted well to each other and the game plan throughout the week. This included starting Waikato’s Damian McKenzie at first five-eighth.

“We’ve named a strong group who all have good clarity on how we want to play this match against the Lions. We feel Damian will suit the game plan that we want to play, from the number 10 position.”

Cooper said he was pleased with the way the players had connected throughout the week.

“We experienced a powerful pōwhiri on Monday which really resonated with the boys and it’s been great to be here in Rotorua and feel all the support. It’s really lifted the team and helped bring them together as a unit.

“We recognise the challenge that is ahead of us on Saturday, but we’re really excited as a group by the opportunity we have to represent New Zealand, Māoridom and the fans that will descend on Rotorua this weekend.”

(Source NZ Rugby)

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