Maori call up four new faces

Defending champions New Zealand Maori have named four debutants in the side to face Canada in tomorrow’s Barclays Churchill Cup clash in Northampton.

Highlanders prop Keith Cameron and centre Jason Kawau, Wellington prop Hoani Tui and Crusaders lock Isaac Ross all come into the team.

The Maori will be captained by experienced Crusaders centre Rui Tipoki and features former New Zealand flanker Angus MacDonald.

New Zealand Maori coach Donny Stevenson said: “We have had two weeks to prepare for this match which is ideal.

“The standard of rugby in the Churchill Cup continues to rise and we are delighted that we have a group of players who have played Super 14 rugby.”

But the Maori will be without Highlanders flanker Liam Messam, who broke a bone in his foot and flies home this weekend.

New Zealand Maori team to play Canada at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton: S Paku (Wellington); P Te Whare (Southland), J Kawau (Southland), R Tipoki (Canterbury, capt), A Tahana (Bay of Plenty); C Bruce (Otago), C Smylie (Otago); K Cameron (Otago), L Mahoney (Wellington), H Tui (Wellington), K Ormsby (Counties Manukau), I Ross (Canterbury), A Macdonald (Auckland), S Waldrom (Taranaki), W Smith (Bay of Plenty).

Replacements: A de Malmanche (Waikato), C West (Waikato), J Hoeata (Taranaki), H Triggs (Manawatu), J Rodley (North Harbour), T Ellison (Wellington), D Sweeney (Waikato).