The Māori All Blacks have selected a 28-strong squad for the team’s two-match series in Japan.
A Japan XV will play the Māori side on Saturday at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo and a week later on Saturday, 6 July at Toyota Stadium in Toyota.
Super Rugby Pacific winners the Blues provides seven players with centre Corey Evans, full-back Cole Forbes and lock Laghlan McWhannell selected for the first time.
Prop Marcel Renata, hooker Kurt Eklund, flanker Cameron Suafoa and scrum-half Sam Nock have also been called up.
Crusaders’ veteran prop Joe Moody returns to the Māori fold for the first time since 2015.
Highlanders flanker Billy Harmon, lock Isaia Walker-Leawere and prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, both of the Hurricanes, add further bulk and experience.
There are debuts for Chiefs centre Daniel Rona and Highlanders loose forward Nikora Broughton.
The number 10 jersey will be filled by a Crusaders fly-half with Rivez Reihana and Taha Kemara both picked for the first time.
Māori All Blacks head coach Ross Filipo said: “The Super Rugby Pacific campaign provided us with a solid platform to select from as the competitiveness shown by the players is exactly what we need against Japan XV.
“Our new players have been rewarded for their consistency and it’s great to see the return of many others to this environment.
“I’d like to congratulate every player in our squad on their selection. Playing for this team is a huge honour and this is an opportunity for us all to represent our whānau, heritage and country on the world stage.”
Māori All Blacks Squad 2024: denotes new caps
Props
Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi/Bay of Plenty/Hurricanes)
Joe Moody (Ngāi Tahu/Canterbury/Crusaders)
Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāi Takoto/Auckland/Blues)
Ollie Norris (Ngāpuhi/Waikato/Chiefs)
Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi/Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
Hookers
Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu/Bay of Plenty/Blues)
Tyrone Thompson (Ngāti Kahungunu/Chiefs)
Locks
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou/Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
Laghlan McWhannell* (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Blues)
Max Hicks (Ngāti Ranginui/Tasman/Highlanders)
Tahlor Cahill* (Ngāpuhi/Canterbury/Crusaders)
Loose forwards
Billy Harmon (Ngāi Tahu/Canterbury/Highlanders)
Cameron Suafoa (Ngāpuhi/North Harbour/Blues)
Cullen Grace (Ngāti Whakaue/Canterbury/Crusaders)
Nikora Broughton* (Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Ruanui/Bay of Plenty/Highlanders)
Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe/Manawatū/Hurricanes)
Half Backs
Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi/Northland/Blues)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)
First five-eighths
Rivez Reihana* (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Northland/Crusaders)
Taha Kemara* (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea/Waikato/Crusaders)
Midfield
Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Hurricanes)
Corey Evans* (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu/Northland/Blues)
Daniel Rona* (Te Ātiawa/Taranaki/Chiefs)
Rameka Poihipi (Ngāti Whakaue/Canterbury/Chiefs)
Quinn Tupaea (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru, Waikato/Waikato/Chiefs)
Outside Backs
Cole Forbes* (Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Blues)
Josh Moorby (Ngāti Maniapoto/Waikato/Hurricanes)
Tana Tuhakaraina* (Ngāti Hauā/Waikato/Chiefs)
Unavailable for selection due to injury:
Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Ngāti Raukawa)
Shaun Stevenson (Ngāpuhi)
Jared Profitt (Ngāti Porou)
Schedule:
Japan XV v Māori All Blacks
Saturday, 29 June, (7.00pm JST)
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
Japan XV v Māori All Blacks
Saturday, 6 July, (6.00pm JST)
Toyota Stadium, Toyota
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