New Zealand Maori rugby coach Matt Te Pou has made two changes to his side for the match against the New Zealand Barbarians at North Harbour Stadium at Albany on Friday night.
Blair Urlich replaces his North Harbour team-mate Matua Parkinson on the openside flank and Kristian Ormsby comes in for
Reece Robinson at lock.
Te Pou said both Urlich and Ormsby deserved the opportunity to start.
"Blair and Kristian both played really well coming off the bench against Australia (23-27 loss in Perth last Saturday)," he said.
The Maori backline is unchanged as a result of the strong performance against the Wallabies.
"The backs are developing as a unit and I didn't want to change a performing backline," Te Pou said.
Roger Randle has been named on the reserves bench and Te Pou said the Chiefs wing would definitely get game time after battling his way back from injury.
"Roger is finally ready and we will definitely use him."
Riki Flutey has made the 22-man squad and Te Pou confirmed the Hurricanes utility back would get a run for the first time in a New Zealand Maori jersey.
Hooker Corey Flynn has been released to the New Zealand under-21 side in South Africa after a prior agreement, and Wellington's Shane Carter comes into the squad on the bench.
New Zealand sevens star Joe Rokococo was yesterday mistakenly selected in the Barbarians team when he was in fact on duty with the New Zealand Colts at the under-21 World Cup in South Africa.
Rupeni Caucaunibuca was today confirmed on the wing in Rokococo's place while flanker Craig Newby, also named yesterday, has withdrawn because he needs more time to recover from an ankle injury.
Newby's replacement has yet to be named.
New Zealand Maori: Willie Walker, Rico Gear, Ryan Nicholas, Bruce Reihana, Mark Mayerhofler, Carlos Spencer, Rhys Duggan, Deon Muir (captain), Blair Urlich, Bryce Williams, Kristian Ormsby, Jonno Gibbes, Carl Hayman, Slade McFarland, Greg Feek.
Reserves: Shane Carter, Deacon Manu, Matua Parkinson, Reece Robinson, Riki Flutey, Joe Maddock, Roger Randle.
New Zealand Barbarians: Ben Blair, Nathan Mauger, Tana Umaga, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Paul Steinmetz, James Arlidge, Danny Lee, Sam Broomhall, Peter Bowden, Vula Maimuri, Taine Randell (captain), Kees Meeuws, Andrew Hore, Carl Hoeft. One more to be named.
Reserves: Mike Storey, Joe Ward, Mark Robinson, Mark Ranby, Nick Evans, Chris Masoe, Luke Andrews.
- NZPA
New Zealand Maori rugby coach Matt Te Pou has made two changes to his side for the match against the New Zealand Barbarians at North Harbour Stadium at Albany on Friday night.
Blair Urlich replaces his North Harbour team-mate Matua Parkinson on the openside flank and Kristian Ormsby comes in for
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