KEY POINTS:
Four players will make their New Zealand Maori debut on Saturday morning (7am, NZ time) when they kick off their Churchill Cup rugby title defence against Canada.
Otago prop Keith Cameron, Southland centre Jason Kawau, Canterbury lock Isaac Ross and Wellington prop Hoani Tui have been named in the starting line-up for the match at Franklin's Gardens, Northampton.
Canterbury midfielder Rua Tipoki is captain of the team.
"We have had two weeks to prepare for this match which is ideal. The standard of rugby in the Churchill Cup continues to rise and we are delighted that we have a group of players who have played Super 14 rugby or for a New Zealand team in the past," coach Donny Stevenson said.
Waikato loose forward Liam Messam will return home this weekend after he broke a bone in his foot during training.
He has been replaced by Taranaki's Jarrad Hoeata, who played for New Zealand Sevens in Dubai and South Africa last year.
The match will be televised live by TV3 (7am).
Team: Shannon Paku, Pehi Te Whare, Jason Kawau, Rua Tipoki (captain), Anthony Tahana, Callum Bruce, Chris Smylie, Warren Smith, Scott Waldrom, Angus Macdonald, Isaac Ross, Kristian Ormsby, Hoani Tui, Luke Mahoney, Keith Cameron
Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Craig West, Jarrad Hoeata, Hayden Triggs, James Rodley, Tamati Ellison, Dwayne Sweeney.
- NZPA