Maori All Blacks coach Colin Cooper has named a squad full of Super Rugby talent in the backs, but light on experience up front for a two-match tour of North America.



Young Hawke's Bay first five eighth Ihaia West will take charge of a backline served by veteran halfback Piri Weepu and led by new captain Tim Bateman from the midfield.



Bateman takes the captaincy from Chiefs flanker Tanerau Latimer, who has made himself unavailable to have surgery on a long-standing arm injury.



The backline also features former All Black wing Zac Guildford, Chiefs midfielder Charlie Ngatai and wing Robbie Robinson, and Hurricanes fullback Andrew Taylor.



The side contains six former All Blacks and eleven players from last year's Maori squad.



However, up front there are some names many fans will be unfamiliar with including young props Nick Barrett (Southland), Chris Eves (Manawatu), and Bay of Plenty's Kane Hames and Joe Royal, who can also cover hooker.



That places plenty of responsibility on fringe All Black tight head prop Ben Afeaki and experienced hookers Hika Elliott and Corey Flynn.



The locking selections suggest the Maori plan to play the game at pace with sometime Highlanders loosies Joe Wheeler and Jarrad Hoeata joined by tall youngster Luke Katene of Canterbury.



Tasman are rewarded for their NPC form with Wheeler joined by form loose forwards Shane Christie and Liam Squire.



The team play just two games, against Canada on November 3 and the United States in Philadelphia on November 9.



Cooper said the Maori culture would remain the core of the team's ethos, but also noted the side had been picked with an emphasis on aligning more closely with the New Zealand Rugby Union's high performance programme.



That meant younger players were favoured in some cases and that the All Blacks selectors were heavily involved in consultation with assistant coach Tabai Matson.



"I'm really excited about this tour and the opportunities it gives young players to press for higher honours, as well as the chance to honour the proud legacy of the teams that have gone before,'' Cooper said.



"New Zealand Rugby has identified the Maori All Blacks as a high performance team and our selections reflect that.



"We have experienced campaigners like Hika Elliott and Piri Weepu as well as young up-and-comers like Ihaia West and Liam Squire so the side has great balance.''



Several players were not considered due to injury including Wellington lock Ross Filipo, Northland prop Bronson Murray.



The 26-strong squad leaves for North America on October 28.



Maori All Blacks: Forwards: Hookers: Hika Elliott (Ngāti Awa, Counties Manukau), Corey Flynn (Ngāi Tahu, Canterbury). Props: Ben Afeaki (Ngāti Awa, North Harbour), Nick Barrett (Ngāti Kahungunu, Southland), Chris Eves (Tainui, Manawatu), Kane Hames (Ngāi Tuhoe/Ngāti Porou, Bay of Plenty), Joe Royal (Te Arawa/Ngāti Whātua I Orakei, Bay of Plenty). Locks: Jarrad Hoeata (Ngāti Kahungunu/Ngāi Tuhoe, Taranaki), Luke Katene (Ngāti Toa, Canterbury), Joe Wheeler (Ngāi Tahu, Tasman). Loose forwards: Luke Braid (Ngāti Tumutumu, Auckland), Shane Christie (Ngāti Kuri, Tasman), Elliot Dixon (Ngāpuhi, Southland), Liam Squire (Ngāi Tahu, Tasman), Blade Thomson (Ngāpuhi, Taranaki). Backs: Halfbacks: Jamieson Gibson-Park (Ngāti Porou/Ngāi Tai, Taranaki), Piri Weepu (Te Whakatōhea/Ngāi Tahu, Auckland). First five-eighth: Ihaia West (Ngati Kahungunu/Ngāti Porou, Hawke's Bay). Midfield: Tim Bateman (Ngāi Tahu, Wellington), Charlie Ngatai (Ngāti Porou/Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Wellington), Jackson Willison (Ngāti Mahuta, Waikato). Outsides: Kurt Baker (Ngāpuhi, Taranaki), Zac Guildford (Ngāti Kahunganu/Ngāi Tahu, Hawke's Bay), Robbie Robinson (Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Southland), Andre Taylor (Ngāti Tuwharetoa/Ngāti Kahungunu, Taranaki), Matt Proctor (Ngāi te Rangi/Ngāpuhi, Welliington).