The Maori All Blacks squad to tour to Chicago, London and Ireland next month has been named.



The squad was announced by New Zealand Rugby Maori Board acting chairman Peter Goldsmith, in Wellington today.



The 2016 Maori All Blacks squad is (with * to denote new cap):





Player Province Whakapapa Leni Apisai * Wellington Ngati Awa Tim Bateman Canterbury Ngai Tahu Otere Black Manawatu Ngai Tuhoe / Te Whanau a Apanui / Ngati Tuwharetoa Shane Christie Tasman Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi / Ngati Kurawhatia Ash Dixon, Captain Hawkes Bay Ngati Tahinga Whetu Douglas * Waikato Ngati Porou / Ngati Whakaue Jason Emery Manawatu Ngati Haua / Ngati Maniapoto Chris Eves Manawatu Waikato / Tainui Tom Franklin Otago Ngati Maniapoto Billy Guyton * Tasman Ngapuhi / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Raukawa Kane Hames Tasman Ngai Tuhoe / Ngati Porou Akira Ioane Auckland Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui Mike Kainga Taranaki Ngati Kahungunu James Lowe Tasman Ngapuhi / Ngai Te Rangi Ben May Hawkes Bay Ngati Maniapoto Marty McKenzie Taranaki Ngati Tuwharetoa / Ngati Tahinga Leighton Price * Taranaki Waikato / Ngati Maniapoto Reed Prinsep * Canterbury Te Rarawa Matt Proctor Wellington Ngai Te Rangi / Ngapuhi Kara Pryor * Northland Ngati Awa / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Rangitihi Marcel Renata Auckland Ngati Whanaunga / Te Aupouri Joe Royal Bay of Plenty Te Arawa / Ngati Whatua o Orakei / Ngapuhi Jacob Skeen Waikato Ngapuhi Sean Wainui Taranaki Ngai Tuhoe / Te Aitanga a Mahaki / Nga Arikikaiputahi / Ngati Porou Brad Weber Hawkes Bay Ngati Porou Ihaia West Hawkes Bay Ngati Kahungunu / Ngati Porou





Six new caps have been named in the side including this year’s New Zealand Under 20 captain, Wellington’s Leni Apisai.



Maori All Blacks Head Coach Colin Cooper (Ngati Pukenga/Ngati Porou) congratulated all those selected.



“This is an exciting time for all those involved in this special team.



“We’re delighted with the squad we have announced today – we think there’s an incredible mix of experience and very wise heads, and a special crop of new talent that has been exciting to watch in action in Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup.



“This team continues to be an important opportunity for players looking to push for higher honours.



“We are particularly delighted for Rieko Ioane who was named for the first time with the All Blacks on Sunday – and he joins several Maori All Blacks who have earned a call up to the All Blacks in recent years – Nehe Milner Skudder, Codie Taylor, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Joe Moody, Brad Weber, Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire, Damian McKenzie and last year’s skipper Charlie Ngatai currently unavailable due to concussion.”



Ash Dixon will take over from Charlie Ngatai in the captain’s role.



“We continue to work closely with the All Blacks coaches to ensure that we are aligned and these selections demonstrate the strength of the Maori All Blacks as a high performance team.”



“It’s also good that both teams are in Chicago and the United Kingdom at the same time, so that we can retain that alignment,” Cooper said.



“We are looking forward to heading to Chicago to play the USA Eagles. Playing any national side is an honour, and they’re a team that’s really cementing their place in international rugby.”



“Our matches against Munster and Harlequins will also be very special as we love taking the Maori All Blacks’ style of rugby to other countries.”



Five players still involved in Mitre 10 Cup Finals will join the squad in Auckland after their matches this weekend.



The squad flies out on Sunday night.



Maori All Blacks 2016 Match schedule



Friday 4 November v USA Eagles, Toyota Park, Chicago



Friday 11 November v Munster, Thomond Park, Limerick



Wednesday 16 November v Harlequins, Twickenham Stoop, London





Maori All Blacks pre-departure schedule



Wednesday: The Maori All Blacks assemble (except those involved in Mitre 10 Cup Finals matches) in Auckland, tomorrow, Wednesday 27 October.



Saturday: 1:30pm - Clarity run – vision and media opportunity, Blues rugby base



Sunday: 12.00pm - Vision opportunity at team photo session

11:10pm – Team flies out of Auckland Airport – NZ2





Coaching and management team