By CHRIS RATTUE
Maori coach Matt Te Pou has the bulk of his first team in mind, but a couple of players can still force their way into the starting calculations for the match against Australia in Perth next week.
The Maori begin their three-match tour of Australia against Queensland in
Brisbane tonight, fielding a side close to their top lineup.
Wing Roger Randle, who resumed training yesterday after a back injury, will be missing and is likely to only come off the bench against New South Wales on Saturday in preparation for the Australia match a week later. Crusaders wing Joe Maddock takes his place tonight.
Te Pou said that on Super 12 form, Blues three-quarter Rico Gear - who is in the reserves tonight - could force his way into the Perth starters along with Chiefs prop Deacon Manu, who played against Australia in Sydney last year.
The Maori side had been undefeated in 20-odd matches before losing that game. They then beat Argentina and will be keen to re-establish a new winning run.
Queensland will be without seven Wallaby-bound players, but Te Pou said his side had been hit harder than that.
"We've got nine guys in the All Blacks and another seven down with injury," he said.
The squad for tonight's match includes Maddock, Ryan Nicholas, Jonno Gibbes, Bryce Williams, Carl Hayman, Willie Walker and Corey Flynn who have yet to play for the Maori team. Ten of the side were in the team beaten last year.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old wing Reece Goode and recent Australian under-21 lock Rudi Vedelago will make their Queensland debuts.
Wing Damian Smith and utility forward Mark Connors, who have both played more than 100 matches for their state, are coming near the end of their Queensland careers and will make their final farewells against Fiji A on Saturday.
With Reds halfback Sam Cordingley heading to Swansea and Jacob Rauluni also expected to go overseas, it will be a chance for Ben Wakely to press his Super 12 claims, although coach Mark McBain is also looking at recruiting from outside Queensland.
Reserve halfback Sam Batty, son of former All Black Grant Batty, is rated an outside Super 12 prospect, although tonight might give him a royal chance to show his ability.
A far stronger Queensland side than tonight's team - particularly in the backs - were beaten 42-8 in an ill-tempered match against the Lions last season.
Brisbane normally enjoys sunny days at this time of year, but there has been heavy rain for two days which could continue tonight.
A Queensland official described ticket pre-sales as "terrible," although Ballymore often draws a healthy walk-up crowd.
New Zealand Maori: Carlos Spencer, Joe Maddock, Ryan Nicholas, Mark Mayerhofler, Bruce Reihana, Glen Jackson, Rhys Duggan, Deon Muir (c), Matua Parkinson, Jonno Gibbes, Bryce Williams, Kristian Ormsby, Carl Hayman, Slade McFarland, Greg Feek. Reserves: Willie Walker, Rico Gear, Brendan Haami; Blair Urlich, Reece Robinson, Deacon Manu, Corey Flynn.
Queensland Reds: Richard Graham, Reece Goode, Ross West, Jason Ramsamy, Damian Smith, Andrew Scotney, Ben Wakely, John Roe, David Croft, Mark Connors, Rudi Vedelago, Mike Mitchell, Fletcher Dyson, Tom Murphy, Nick Stiles. Reserves: Jeremy Austin, Paul Warwick, Sam Batty, Tom McVerry, Andrew Farley, Glenn Panoho, Sean Hardman.
Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia)
Kickoff: 9.30pm (NZ time)
By CHRIS RATTUE
Maori coach Matt Te Pou has the bulk of his first team in mind, but a couple of players can still force their way into the starting calculations for the match against Australia in Perth next week.
The Maori begin their three-match tour of Australia against Queensland in
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