13.Nov.2012

While there may be 11 new faces in the Maori All Blacks team to play Leicester Tigers tomorrow (NZT), there is plenty of experience up front, something that will be vital against arguably the most decorated English club in rugby.

The Tigers are the most successful club in England, and their reputation – from former captain Martin Johnson to the infamous ABC front row club – is something that will ensure that the first match of the Aotearoa Fisheries European Tour will be immense.

Maori All Blacks coach Jamie Joseph decided to enforce his pack with four All Blacks, with captain Tanerau Latimer, hooker Hika Elliot and second row forwards Jason Eaton and Jarrad Hoeata all capped with the Test side.

While that gives the forward pack a menacing edge, the inexperience of the team is shown when looking throughout the starting XV.

Andre Taylor, Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Frae Wilson, Kade Poki, Charlie Ngatai and Kurt Baker all get their first start for the Maori All Blacks, while other debutants in, Quentin MacDonald, Nick Crosswell, Jamieson Gibson-Park, and Declan O'Donnell are on the bench.

While it is a young group, it is a player core filled with potential, something that coach Jamie Joseph acknowledged before a special match.

"We have a great group of talented players, and we have selected what we think is a very strong team," said Joseph.

"While many in our squad are new to the Maori All Blacks environment, we know that they are experienced Investec Super Rugby and ITM Cup campaigners who we know will be competitive on the field.

"Playing Leicester in front of their home crowd will be something special, and we're really looking forward to this hit-out."

The Maori All Blacks will play a RFU Championship selection and Canada to round out the Aotearoa Fisheries European tour.

Maori All Blacks: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Kurt Baker, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Frae Wilson, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 Tanerau Latimer (c), 6 Shane Christie, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Ben May. Reserves: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Bronson Murray, 19 Romana Graham, 20 Nick Crosswell, 21 Jamieson Gibson-Park, 22 Jackson Willison, 23 Declan O'Donnell.

Leicester Tigers: 0 Mathew Tait, N Niall Morris, M Matt Smith, L Anthony Allen, K Adam Thompstone, J George Ford, I Patrick Phibbs, H Julian Salvi, G Jordan Crane, F Ed Slater, E Graham Kitchener, D Louis Deacon (c), C Fraser Balmain, B George Chuter, A Boris Stankovich. Reserves: P Jonny Harris, Q Jimmy Stevens, R Kieran Brookes, S Michael Noone, T Richard Thorpe, U Sam Harrison, V Dan Bowden, W Geordan Murphy.