The Maori All Blacks 2015 squad to play Fiji and the New Zealand Barbarians next month was named in Wellington today and features 10 new caps.

The squad will again be captained by Chiefs midfield back Charlie Ngatai.

The Maori All Blacks squad is:



FORWARDS

HOOKERS

Joe Royal

Te Arawa/Ngati Whatua o Orakei/Ngapuhi

Bay of Plenty

Ash Dixon

Ngati Tahinga

Hawke's Bay

Quentin MacDonald*

Rangitane

Tasman

PROPS

Chris Eves

Tainui

Manawatu

Brendon Edmonds

Ngati Kahungunu

Hawke's Bay

Josh Hohneck*

Ngati Whatua/Ngati Manuhiri

Waikato

Ben May

Ngati Maniapoto

Wellington

LOCKS

Hayden Triggs

Ngati Kahungunu

North Harbour

Jacob Skeen*

Ngapuhi

Waikato

Blade Thomson

Ngapuhi

Taranaki

LOOSE FORWARDS

Shane Christie

Te Atihaunui a Paparangi/Ngati Kurawhatia

Tasman

Elliot Dixon

Ngapuhi

Southland

Akira Ioane*

Te Whanau-a-Apanui

Auckland

Heiden Bedwell-Curtis

Ngapuhi

Manawatu

Mitchell Crosswell

Ngati Porou

Taranaki

BACKS

HALFBACKS

Jamison Gibson-Park

Ngati Porou/Nga Tai

Taranaki

Brad Weber*

Ngati Porou

Waikato

FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH

Damian McKenzie*

Ngati Tuwharetoa

Waikato

Otere Black*

Ngai Tuhoe/Te Whanau-a-Apanui/Ngati Tuwharetoa

Manawatu

MIDFIELD BACKS

Jason Emery

Ngati Haua/Ngati Maniapoto

Manawatu

Charlie Ngatai (c)

Ngati Porou/Te Whanau-a-Apanui

Taranaki

Sean Wainui*

Ngai Tuhoe/Ngati Porou

Taranaki

OUTSIDE BACKS

Kurt Baker

Ngapuhi

Taranaki

Rieko Ioane*

Te Whanau-a-Apanui

Auckland

Marty McKenzie

Ngati Tuwharetoa

Taranaki

Matt Proctor

Ngai te Rangi/Ngapuhi

Wellington

Codey Rei*

Nga Ruahine/Te Atiawa

Taranaki



*new cap

2014 Maori All Blacks squad members not available because of injury were; Tom Franklin, Mike Kainga, James Lowe, Sean Polwart, Dan Pryor and Joe Webber.

The 27-strong squad departs for Fiji on Wednesday 8 July.

Strong squad for 2015

Coach Colin Cooper said the 2015 squad was an exciting mix of experienced hands and promising young talent. It includes 13 players who took part in last year’s tour to Japan and three members of the successful New Zealand Under 20 team which won the recent World Championship title in Italy.

“This is a well-balanced side with some very experienced campaigners who have now played on several tours and know our systems well. I'll be expecting them to lead by example and show the new boys the high standards we expect.

“We have a proud record of success to uphold and I am sure this side will work hard to honour the great legacy of the Maori All Blacks,” said Cooper.

Exciting young talent on display

“It is very pleasing to introduce some exciting new talent to the 2015 side. Akira Ioane has really impressed with the Blues this year and both he, Otere Black and Sean Wainui are coming off the great win for New Zealand Under 20 at the World Championship in Italy so I am sure they will want to carry on that form. Rieko Ioane will also provide great pace out wide and he's hugely matured with the All Blacks Sevens this year despite still only being 18 years old.

“We've also seen how well Damian McKenzie has equipped himself in his first season at the Chiefs which is a huge test for any young man. He's shown incredible maturity so he along with his brother Marty who toured with us last year, will strengthen the backline,” said Cooper.

Fans urged to support the Maori All Blacks at Eden Park

“We're really looking forward to this tour. These players have a great opportunity to test their skills against a tough international opponent in Fiji as it looks to build for the Rugby World Cup and the Barbarians match will also be a stiff contest.

“We hope fans come out and support the Maori All Blacks at home as we haven’t played in New Zealand since 2010. This is a top chance to see some of the best players in the country test their skills against what we expect to be a very strong Barbarians side.

“We know the Barbarians also have a proud reputation to uphold like us so I think fans will be in for a great display of attacking rugby. It’s also a huge opportunity for players to continue to press for selection for the All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad so there will be a lot at stake. It should be a fantastic match.”

Maori All Blacks 2015 matches

Saturday 11 July v Fiji, ANZ National Stadium, Suva. Kickoff 3pm NZST

Saturday 18 July v New Zealand Barbarians, Eden Park, Auckland. Kickoff 7.35pm NZST

Watch the Maori All Blacks

Both matches will be live on SKY Sport

Tickets for New Zealand Barbarians match