The Maori All Blacks have named a talented squad as they aim to repeat their 2005 victory over the British and Irish Lions.
Maori All Blacks Head Coach Colin Cooper has named several players with All Blacks experience in their squad, which takes on the Lions in Rotorua next Saturday.
The squad has three new caps, all in the backs, with halfbacks Bryn Hall and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and midfielder Rob Thompson all set to pull on the jersey for the first time.
"We've got a very exciting group coming together to experience this special and rare occasion. The majority of us have been working together over the past couple of years so we already have an understanding of each other and clarity around what we're looking to achieve," said Cooper.
"Knowing the ground will be full for the match, and getting a feel for the support that's coming from the Rotorua community in hosting us, along with the rest of New Zealand around the series and the match itself is exciting.
"We're very much looking forward to bringing our whānau together over the weekend to start focusing on how we're going to present ourselves to the Lions, and the world, as the Maori All Blacks.
The 2017 Maori All Blacks Squad for the DHL New Zealand Lions Series is:
Forwards
Props Chris Eves - North Harbour - Waikato/Tainui (7 appearances) Kane Hames - Tasman - Ngāi Tuhoe/Ngāti Porou (5) Mike Kainga - Taranaki - Ngāti Kahungunu (2) Ben May - Hawke's Bay - Ngāti Maniapoto (12) Marcel Renata - Auckland - Ngāti Whānaunga / Te Aupouri (4)
