Maori not taking Wasps match too lightly

The New Zealand Maori rugby side won't be taking a Wasps XV lightly when they clash in Rotorua tonight.

New Zealand Maori skipper Deon Muir said his team were taking the clash very seriously as it was an important part of their build-up for next Tuesday's match against the touring Argentineans, also in Rotorua.

However, Muir said tonight's match could be as tough as the Argentine game, given that the tourists will be coming off the weekend's test match against the All Blacks.

"It (the Wasps' game) will be a tough one as it seems like they will have a strong side. It's always tough because it is Kiwi versus Kiwi. We know how each other play and are familiar with each other's games," Muir said.

"They (the Wasps) have got nothing to lose. They have a chance to play the Maori side and they will all be going for it."

While the Maori lost for the first time in eight years in Sydney two weeks ago, they had not been beaten in New Zealand since 1993 when they went down to the touring British Lions in Wellington.

Maori coach Matt Te Pou has made six changes to the side which took on Australia for tomorrow night's clash with all but one forced on him by players returning to the All Blacks squad or relenting to injury.

In the pack, locks Paul Tito and Reece Robinson replace Mark Cooksley and Norm Maxwell, flankers Hare Makiri and Matua Parkinson come in for Troy Flavell and Taine Randell and hooker Slade McFarland gets the nod ahead of Norm Hewitt who is on the bench.

The only change in the backline is at first five where David Hill replaces injured Chiefs team mate Glen Jackson.

New caps Kristian Ormsby and Blair Urlich could also get their chance off the bench tomorrow night while the only new face in the starting line-up is Hawke's Bay's Reece Robinson, who played five minutes off the bench for the Maori in the corresponding clash last season.

Meanwhile, former All Black winger Joeli Vidiri has been called into the Wasps side to replace Auckland Blues team mate Justin Wilson who was injured at a recent Auckland NPC training.

The sides for tonight's clash, which kicks off at 7.35pm:

New Zealand Maori: Carlos Spencer, Roger Randle, Caleb Ralph, Bruce Reihana, Daryl Gibson, David Hill, Rhys Duggan, Deon Muir (c), Matua Parkinson, Reece Robinson, Paul Tito, Hare Makiri, Deacon Manu, Slade McFarland, Greg Feek.

Reserves: Paul Thomson, Norm Hewitt, Kristian Ormsby, Blair Urlich, Brendan Haami, Rua Tipoki, Rico Gear.

Wasps XV: Loki Crichton (Counties-Manukau), Joeli Vidiri (Auckland), Scott McLeod (Waikato), Aisea Tuilevu (North Harbour), Paul Steinmetz (Wellington), James Arlidge (Auckland), Danny Lee (Counties-Manukau), Clayton McMillan (captain, Bay of Plenty), Justin Collins (Auckland), Ramon Lindsay (Counties-Manukau), Vula Maimuri (Northland), Scott Robertson (Canterbury), Gordon Slater (Taranaki), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Dave Hewett (Canterbury).

Reserves: Donovan Nepia, Dale Rasmussen, Chris Le Leivre, Dave Dillon, Wayne Ormond, Thompson Tapsell, Steve Simpkins.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)