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NZ Herald
05-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Māori All Blacks v Scotland: Live updates from the clash in Whangārei
Follow the action as the Māori All Blacks take on Scotland in Whangārei. Match preview The Māori All Blacks will host Scotland in Whangārei this afternoon looking to back up a strong performance against the Japan XV last weekend. After trailing at halftime in Tokyo, the Māori All Blacks flew home to win 50-23 and start their campaign in style. The side return home to face a Scotland side looking to bring some fresh faces into the international arena, with three uncapped players named in their matchday squad including former Crusaders No 10 Fergus Burke. Only six of the Scotland 23 have made 10 or more appearances for the nation, including first five-eighths Adam Hastings (32) and captain Stafford McDowall (13). The Māori All Blacks have made two changes to their starting side from last weekend's win, with Antonio Shalfoon making his debut at lock with Laghlan McWhannell moving to the bench and Daniel Rona starting on the left wing. The only other change on the bench sees Corey Evans replace Xavi Taele as back line cover. 'Japan tested us with fast-paced rugby in hot conditions, and I was proud of the way the team came out in that second half in particular. They made quick decisions, and you could see the cohesion get better and better as the game went on,' head coach Ross Filipo said. 'We know Scotland have their own style, so we are now firmly looking forward. Scotland are physical, and the team is ready for that. We are focused on working collectively to balance our natural instincts with smart decision-making.' Māori All Blacks side to take on Scotland: 1. Jared Proffit 2. Kurt Eklund 3. Kershawl Sykes-Martin 4. Antonio Shalfoon 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere 6. Te Kamaka Howden 7. Jahrome Brown 8. Cullen Grace 9. Sam Nock 10. Rivez Reihana 11. Daniel Rona 12. Gideon Wrampling 13. Bailyn Sullivan 14. Cole Forbes 15. Zarn Sullivan. Bench: 16. Jacob Devery 17. Pouri Rakete-Stones 18. Benet Kumeroa 19. Laghlan McWhannell 20. Caleb Delany 21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara 22. Kaleb Trask 23. Corey Evans. Scotland: 1. Nathan McBeth 2. Patrick Harrison 3. Fin Richardson 4. Marshall Sykes 5. Cameron Henderson 6. Josh Bayliss 7. Andy Onyeama-Christie 8. Ben Muncaster 9. George Horne 10. Adam Hastings 11. Arron Reed 12. Stafford McDowall (c), 13. Rory Hutchinson 14. Harry Paterson 15. Ollie Smith. Bench: 16. George Turner 17. Alec Hepburn 18. Will Hurd 19. Max Williamson 20. Gregor Brown 21. Alexander Masibaka 22. Fergus Burke 23. Jamie Dobie.
Hamilton Spectator
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Stafford McDowall named to captain Scotland against the New Zealand Maori
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Center Stafford McDowall will captain Scotland in Saturday's match against the New Zealand Maori in Whangarei, New Zealand, the first match of Scotland's Pacific tour. McDowall played in all of Scotland's matches in the last Six Nations tournament in place of the injured Sione Tuipulotu . Scrumhalf George Horne and backrower Josh Horne have been named as vice-captains. Horne is the most-capped player in the Scotland lineup with 35 caps. McDowall will combine in midfield with Rory Hutchinson who was named in coach Gregor Townsend's squad in the absence of Matt Curry. Fullback Ollie Smith will play his first match for Scotland since the 2023 World Cup. Backrower Alexander Masibaka and New Zealand-born flyhalf Fergus Burke have been named on the bench to make their first appearances for Scotland. The match is not an official test. Maori coach Ross Filipo has made a handful of changes to the side which beat a Japan XV 50-23 in Tokyo last weekend. Crusaders lock Antonio Shalfoon will make his Maoris debut at lock while Chiefs center Daniel Rona joins the starting lineup at center. Blues back Corey Evans has been named on the bench. Scotland will play Fiji in Suva on July 12. ___ AP rugby:
Fox Sports
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Stafford McDowall named to captain Scotland against the New Zealand Maori
Associated Press WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Center Stafford McDowall will captain Scotland in Saturday's match against the New Zealand Maori in Whangarei, New Zealand, the first match of Scotland's Pacific tour. McDowall played in all of Scotland's matches in the last Six Nations tournament in place of the injured Sione Tuipulotu. Scrumhalf George Horne and backrower Josh Horne have been named as vice-captains. Horne is the most-capped player in the Scotland lineup with 35 caps. McDowall will combine in midfield with Rory Hutchinson who was named in coach Gregor Townsend's squad in the absence of Matt Curry. Fullback Ollie Smith will play his first match for Scotland since the 2023 World Cup. Backrower Alexander Masibaka and New Zealand-born flyhalf Fergus Burke have been named on the bench to make their first appearances for Scotland. The match is not an official test. Maori coach Ross Filipo has made a handful of changes to the side which beat a Japan XV 50-23 in Tokyo last weekend. Crusaders lock Antonio Shalfoon will make his Maoris debut at lock while Chiefs center Daniel Rona joins the starting lineup at center. Blues back Corey Evans has been named on the bench. Scotland will play Fiji in Suva on July 12. ___ AP rugby: recommended in this topic
Winnipeg Free Press
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Stafford McDowall named to captain Scotland against the New Zealand Maori
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Center Stafford McDowall will captain Scotland in Saturday's match against the New Zealand Maori in Whangarei, New Zealand, the first match of Scotland's Pacific tour. McDowall played in all of Scotland's matches in the last Six Nations tournament in place of the injured Sione Tuipulotu. Scrumhalf George Horne and backrower Josh Horne have been named as vice-captains. Horne is the most-capped player in the Scotland lineup with 35 caps. McDowall will combine in midfield with Rory Hutchinson who was named in coach Gregor Townsend's squad in the absence of Matt Curry. Fullback Ollie Smith will play his first match for Scotland since the 2023 World Cup. Backrower Alexander Masibaka and New Zealand-born flyhalf Fergus Burke have been named on the bench to make their first appearances for Scotland. The match is not an official test. Maori coach Ross Filipo has made a handful of changes to the side which beat a Japan XV 50-23 in Tokyo last weekend. Crusaders lock Antonio Shalfoon will make his Maoris debut at lock while Chiefs center Daniel Rona joins the starting lineup at center. Blues back Corey Evans has been named on the bench. Scotland will play Fiji in Suva on July 12. ___ AP rugby:
RNZ News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby: Māori All Blacks seek another big scalp as Scotland loom
Zach Gallagher of the Māori All Blacks. Photo: Alan Lee / After a 53-20 win over a Japan XV, the Māori All Blacks have Scotland in their sights. It's been 25 years since the two teams last played each other, and they'll come together in Whangārei on Saturday afternoon as part of a double-header with the Black Ferns trial match. Zach Gallagher (C) during Maori All Blacks training. Photo: Alan Lee / It will be just the third game between the Māori All Blacks and Scotland, following matches in New Plymouth in 2000 and in Edinburgh in 1998. The Māori won the most recent clash, and lock Zach Gallagher said they would love to beat Scotland again and claim another famous victory over the world no.7 ranked side. "Being an inspiration for the younger generation is what we're about. How we do that is through winning and putting in some performances that we're really proud of. "We're a performance-based team at the end of the day and that's what we're really keen on doing this weekend." Gallagher said the Māori All Blacks are happy to be home. "We're meeting [Scotland] for the first time in 25 years, and while Japan was really special and a great place to play , it's awesome to be back in front of our home crowd in Aotearoa. "Playing the number seven team in the world will be a great challenge for us. We're really excited about this weekend and also playing a double-header after the Black Ferns teams as well." The Māori All Blacks have a good record against Six Nations teams. They have won nine of 14 matches, with the most recent victory a 32-17 triumph over Ireland in 2022 in Hamilton . 23-year-old Gallagher, who played for the Hurricanes this year but is headed to a yet to be revealed team for 2026, believes this weekend's clash will be a bruising affair. "They're (Scotland) a quality team. They're number seven in the world for a reason. We know what they'll be about. Some big physical players and a well structured teams. A lot of emphasis on set piece. We'll have to front up at the collision for sure. It'll be a great battle. "For us, nailing the set piece will probably be first and foremost. And then as always with Māori rugby, try and play some exciting footy. "Hopefully it's a free flowing game and we're able to let our backs run free." Zach Gallagher and Kershaw Sykes-Martin during Maori All Blacks training. Photo: Alan Lee / Gallagher made his Māori All Blacks debut in last weekend's win over the Japan XV and he said it was a wonderful moment. "It was my first time playing for the Māori All Blacks and my first time playing rugby in Japan. It was awesome to experience both in the one go." Of the iwi Te Ātiawa, Gallagher is loving his time with the team. "It's been really, really special. It's been awesome learning more about the team and what it means to a lot of people. "I've been educating myself throughout the week around the history of the team and the players and the management that have gone before me. To be a small part of history in this team is pretty special. It means a lot to myself personally and a lot to my family, and to be able to represent Māori in the community and wear the jersey is pretty amazing." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
