Mix and mingle for All Blacks and Māori All Blacks

Five members of the Maori All Blacks squad named for the tour of North and South America will join up with the side from the All Blacks tour of Japan.

Prop Tyrel Lomax, lock Jackson Hemopo, halfback Bryn Hall, midfielder Matt Proctor and winger Nehe Milner‑Skudder will be part of the 51 strong extended All Black squad in Japan.

The Maori All Blacks will play the USA in Chicago on 3 November before playing Brazil in Sao Paulo a week later and Chile the following week.

Coach Clayton McMillan said the departure of some experienced players offshore, and dual duties with the All Blacks, created an opportunity for several new faces.

The squad is assembling next week in the Bay of Plenty before their departure on Sunday week.

The Maori All Blacks will play the USA Eagles in Chicago, as part of a triple Test bonanza also featuring the World Champion Black Ferns against USA Eagles and Italy v Ireland.

The Maori All Blacks squad (with Iwi/tribe and Province) for the tour is (*denotes uncapped):
FORWARDS
Front Row
Chris Eves (Waikato / Tainui North) - Harbour
Tyrel Lomax (Ngai Tuhoe / Muaupoko) - Tasman
Ben May (Ngati Maniapoto / Waikato) - Hawke’s Bay
Marcel Renata (Ngati Whanaunga / Ngai Takoto) - Auckland
Ross Wright (Ngati Whatua / Ngati Porou) - Northland
Hookers
Robbie Abel * (Ngati Wai, Waikato-Tainui, Ngati Hine) - Auckland
Ash Dixon (C) (Ngati Tahinga) - Hawke’s Bay
Locks
Jackson Hemopo (Tuhourangi / Ngati Wahiao / Ngai Tahu / Ngati Rangi / Ngati Apa ki te Ra To) - Manawatu
Pari Pari Parkinson * (Te Whanau a Apanui) - Tasman
Isaia Walker-Leawere * (Ngati Porou) - Wellington
Loose Forwards
Billy Harmon * (Ngai Tahu) - Canterbury
Akira Ioane (Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui) - Auckland
Mitchell Karpik * (Rongomaiwahine / Ngati Kahungunu) - Bay of Plenty
Hoani Matenga * (Rangitane / Te Whanau a Apanui) - Bay of Plenty
Reed Prinsep (Te Rarawa) - Canterbury
BACKS
Halfbacks
Bryn Hall (Ngati Ranginui) North Harbour
Jonathan Ruru (Ngati Kahungunu / Rongomaiwahine) - Auckland
Brad Weber (Ngati Porou) - Hawke’s Bay
First five-eighths
Otere Black (Ngai Tuhoe / Te Whanau a Apanui / Ngati Tuwharetoa) - Manawatu
Joshua Ioane* (Te Rarawa) - Otago
Midfield backs
Matthew Lansdown* (Te Atiawa) - Waikato
Matt Proctor (Ngai Te Rangi / Ngapuhi) - Wellington
Rob Thompson (Ngati Kahungunu / Nga Rauru) - Manawatu
Teihorangi Walden (Te Atiawa) - Taranaki
Outside backs
Jonah Lowe* (Ngati Pikiao) - Hawke’s Bay
Nehe Milner-Skudder (Ngati Porou / Tapuika) - Manawatu
Shaun Stevenson (Ngapuhi) - North Harbour
Travelling as a replacement for the USA leg only, is Canterbury wing Caleb Makene, of Ngapuhi descent.

[Source:RNZ]

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