The Māori All Blacks left their boots on the bus todayfor a Rotorua pōwhiri.
The newly announced squad is in town training, leading up to their first match against the Flying Fijians in Suva next week, before the two teams face off for a second time at the Rotorua InternationalStadium on July 20.
Te Arawa kaumātua Sir Toby Curtis was at Tametekapua to welcome the players, and the team sang a brief guitar-accompanied waiata for their hosts.
Māori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan at the pōwhiri. Photo / Stephen Parker
Their coach, Rotorua-raised Clayton McMillan, said many of the 26 players had just finished the Super Rugby season playing for various teams.
"The first thing we have to take care of is that we are culturally and spiritually connected. When that part is sorted, the rugby takes care of itself. That's why we are here [at Tametekapua] today."
The Māori All Blacks leave the pōwhiri at Tamatekapua. Photo / Stephen Parker
When asked if the wet weather would hinder their training, he said: "No, not at all".
This month's match will be the second time lock Tom Franklin (Ngāti Maniapoto) has played for the Māori All Blacks in the Bay of Plenty, where he grew up.
He was also in the team that played the British and Irish Lions in Rotorua in 2017.
