Lowe, Howden to start for Māori All Blacks
Jonah Lowe warms up at training with the Maori All Blacks in Auckland on Tuesday.
Two Highlanders are among the starting line-up, as a new crop of Māori All Blacks prepare to make their debuts this weekend against Japan.
As well as the new faces, a new skipper will take the helm in the form of hooker Kurt Eklund.
Highlanders loose forward TK Howden starts in the No6 jersey, while Jonah Lowe is set to start on the wing.
Head Coach Ross Filipo said he's been thoroughly impressed with the players returning after their respective Super Rugby campaigns.
"It's a tight turnaround for us with plenty of our players in the final on Saturday night and then coming straight into this environment. Selections were tough, and our coaching group spent quite some time together to make sure we had the right mix to take the field in Tokyo. We are determined to right a wrong from our last game in Aichi in 2024."
Eklund anchors the scrum with debutant Jacob Devery as impact, alongside props 31-year-old Jared Proffit and Kershawl Sykes-Martin in his debut.
Isaia Walker-Leawere and Laghlan McWhannell make up the locking duo, while Jahrome Brown and TK Howden have been named in the loose forwards. Cullen Grace completes an experienced forward pack at number eight.
Three-time Māori All Black Sam Nock comes in as halfback and after a stellar Super Rugby Pacific season, Rivez Reihana has been named as first-five.
Bailyn Sullivan and Gideon Wrampling will bring their strong ball carrying skills in the midfield, Jonah Lowe and Cole Forbes will start as wingers, with Zarn Sullivan rounding out the backs.
Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Benet Kumeroa, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Kaleb Trask and Xavi Taele have been named as reinforcements.
Māori All Blacks v Japan XV
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, 9.05pm Saturday, 28 June
Zarn Sullivan, Cole Forbes, Bailyn Sullivan, Gideon Wrampling, Jonah Lowe, Rivez Reihana, Sam Nock, Cullen Grace, Jahrome Brown, TK Howden, Laghlan McWhannell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Kerswhal Sykes-Martin, Kurt Ekund, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakee-Stones, Benet Kumeroa, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Kaleb Task, Xavi Taele.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Lowe, Howden to start for Māori All Blacks
Jonah Lowe warms up at training with the Maori All Blacks in Auckland on Tuesday. Two Highlanders are among the starting line-up, as a new crop of Māori All Blacks prepare to make their debuts this weekend against Japan. As well as the new faces, a new skipper will take the helm in the form of hooker Kurt Eklund. Highlanders loose forward TK Howden starts in the No6 jersey, while Jonah Lowe is set to start on the wing. Head Coach Ross Filipo said he's been thoroughly impressed with the players returning after their respective Super Rugby campaigns. "It's a tight turnaround for us with plenty of our players in the final on Saturday night and then coming straight into this environment. Selections were tough, and our coaching group spent quite some time together to make sure we had the right mix to take the field in Tokyo. We are determined to right a wrong from our last game in Aichi in 2024." Eklund anchors the scrum with debutant Jacob Devery as impact, alongside props 31-year-old Jared Proffit and Kershawl Sykes-Martin in his debut. Isaia Walker-Leawere and Laghlan McWhannell make up the locking duo, while Jahrome Brown and TK Howden have been named in the loose forwards. Cullen Grace completes an experienced forward pack at number eight. Three-time Māori All Black Sam Nock comes in as halfback and after a stellar Super Rugby Pacific season, Rivez Reihana has been named as first-five. Bailyn Sullivan and Gideon Wrampling will bring their strong ball carrying skills in the midfield, Jonah Lowe and Cole Forbes will start as wingers, with Zarn Sullivan rounding out the backs. Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Benet Kumeroa, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Kaleb Trask and Xavi Taele have been named as reinforcements. Māori All Blacks v Japan XV Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, 9.05pm Saturday, 28 June Zarn Sullivan, Cole Forbes, Bailyn Sullivan, Gideon Wrampling, Jonah Lowe, Rivez Reihana, Sam Nock, Cullen Grace, Jahrome Brown, TK Howden, Laghlan McWhannell, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Kerswhal Sykes-Martin, Kurt Ekund, Jared Proffit. Reserves: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakee-Stones, Benet Kumeroa, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Kaleb Task, Xavi Taele.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Māori All Blacks team named for Japan XV clash
Kurt Eklund. Photo: Photosport A new crop of Māori All Blacks will make their debuts this weekend against Japan. As well as the new faces, a new skipper will take the helm in the form of hooker Kurt Eklund. Head Coach Ross Filipo said he's been thoroughly impressed with the players returning after their respective Super Rugby campaigns. "It's a tight turnaround for us with plenty of our players in the final on Saturday night and then coming straight into this environment. Selections were tough, and our coaching group spent quite some time together to make sure we had the right mix to take the field in Tokyo. We are determined to right a wrong from our last game in Aichi in 2024." Eklund anchors the scrum with debutant Jacob Devery as impact, alongside props 31-year-old Jared Proffit and Kershawl Sykes-Martin in his debut. Isaia Walker-Leawere and Laghlan McWhannell make up the locking duo, while Jahrome Brown and Te Kamaka Howden have been named in the loose forwards. Cullen Grace completes an experienced forward pack at number eight. Three-time Māori All Black Sam Nock comes in as halfback and after a stellar Super Rugby Pacific season, Rivez Reihana has been named as first-five. Bailyn Sullivan and Gideon Wrampling will bring their strong ball carrying skills in the midfield, Jonah Lowe and Cole Forbes will start as wingers, with Zarn Sullivan rounding out the backs. Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Benet Kumeroa, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Kaleb Trask and Xavi Taele have been named as reinforcements. Māori All Blacks v Japan XV Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium 9.05pm Saturday, 28 June 1. Jared Proffit*, Ngāti Porou 2. Kurt Eklund, Ngāti Kahu (C) 3. Kerswhal Sykes-Martin*, Ngāti Porou 4. Isaia Walker-Leawere, Ngāti Porou 5. Laghlan McWhannell, Ngāti Kahungunu 6. Te Kamaka Howden, Tūhoe 7. Jahrome Brown*, Ngāti Porou 8. Cullen Grace, Ngāti Whakaue 9. Sam Nock, Ngāpuhi 10. Rivez Reihana, Ngāphui, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine 11. Jonah Lowe, Ngāti Pikiao 12. Gideon Wrampling*, Ngāpuhi 13. Bailyn Sullivan, Ngāti Kahungunu 14. Cole Forbes, Ngāti Awa 15. Zarn Sullivan, Ngāti Kahungunu Bench 16. Jacob Devery*, Te Aitanga a Mahaki 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones, Ngāpuhi 18. Benet Kumeroa, Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi 19. Zach Gallagher*, Te Ātiawa 20. Caleb Delany, Ngāti Tūwharetoa 21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara*, Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Porou 22. Kaleb Trask, Ngāpuhi 23. Xavi Taele*, Ngāi Tahu Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Another giant stride in lock's career
Fabian Holland runs a skills session with youngsters at the Coastal Rugby Club, in Taranaki, after being named in the All Blacks on Monday. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES Fabian Holland sees his first selection in an All Blacks squad as just one more step in his career. He has a giant step, to be fair. The towering Highlanders lock headed north yesterday to assemble with Scott Robertson's crew as he counts down the days to, ideally, making his fairytale test debut at Forsyth Barr Stadium as the first Dutch-born All Black. "I'm feeling really good," Holland told the Otago Daily Times before his departure. "I'm excited to get stuck in. A massive step has been made towards my dream, which is to contribute to this jersey and leave a bit of me in there. "I strive to be up there with people like Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock. That's the real dream — to leave my blood, sweat and tears in that jersey and contribute." Holland was a youngster when he saw a Dutch-born player, Tim Visser, play against the All Blacks in 2012. Now the lad from Castricum, near Amsterdam, who grew up obsessed with New Zealand rugby is on the verge of completing a remarkable story. "It's pretty cool. It's always been a massive goal and a dream of mine to get to this point. "There were a lot of times where I thought this is something that is impossible. "With the close people around me, family and friends, I managed to be able to stick it through. I wouldn't be here without them. They've played a massive part in the journey. "For me, this is just a step towards that bigger goal. It's definitely a chance to say, wow, if you work hard for it and share the love for the game, things become reality and become touchable." Holland would cherish a chance to make his test debut against France on his home ground next Saturday. "That would be awesome but I've got to earn my spot in the 23. "When the opportunity is given, I'll do my best. "How good would it be if it was under the roof? That's for me where it started. I was 18 years old and stepped over the line with Otago against Taranaki, and I made my debut there with the Highlanders in 2022 against the Blues. "I owe them everything, especially the Highlanders. They've wanted me in their family since I was 17 or 18 years old. They mean everything to me. "To be able to potentially debut there would be a special moment." He could have some Highlanders company, too. Holland is delighted to be preparing for his All Blacks debut with established prop Ethan de Groot and fellow rookie Timoci "Jim" Tavatavanawai. "Jim deserves it more than anyone else because he's had two years where he's consistently been one of the best players in the competition," Holland said. "You see the massive things he does on TV, bumping off people and getting turnovers. It's a lot of the unseen work, the leadership, the things he puts his body through to play 80 minutes. "Ethan is the caretaker of everyone. For me, he's like a big brother. "When I came into the environment when I was 18, he took me under his wing. He taught me some hard lessons, stuck by me and developed a great relationship. "He was probably one of the people I couldn't tell [about All Blacks selection] that I really wanted to tell. As soon as I could, I got him on FaceTime and got to tell him. "To continue this journey together with him and Jim is pretty special." Holland has encountered French opposition before. He played for the Netherlands at under-18 level against a Toulouse academy team. Having mum Margot, on holiday from the Netherlands, and little brother Quinten, who also lives in Dunedin, with him when he got the good news from Robertson was special. "Unbelievable. Great timing. "And even to give my old man a phone call at 1.30am at his place. He woke up and was like, 'What's going on?' I told him I just got good news. "He was quiet for about 20 seconds. Then he hung up and called me the next morning and he was like, 'Did I dream?' He was stoked as well. Unbelievable moment." Holland was unsure if his dad, Reinout, could make it out for the French series, while sister Franka has her own rugby commitments as she is on the verge of the Dutch women's squad.
