Rugby: 11 new caps in Maori All Blacks

Charlie Ngatai will captain the Maori All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

Eleven new caps have been named in the Maori All Blacks squad to take on Japan next month while the scheduled match in Singapore has been axed due to pitch issues.

The team will be captained by Chiefs midfield back Charlie Ngatai with Tasman loose forward Shane Christie as vice-captain.

While New Zealand Rugby has yet to receive official confirmation, the planned match in Singapore against the Asia Pacific Dragons on 15 November, will not proceed due to pitch issues at the National Stadium.

The 27-strong squad departs for its first ever visit to Japan on Monday 27 October. The team plays Japan on Saturday, 1 November at Noevair Stadium, Kobe and on Saturday, 8 November at Prince Chichibu Stadium, Tokyo. Players not considered because of injury were Hika Elliott, Ben Afeaki and Luke Braid.

Coach Colin Cooper said he was pleased with the mix of youth and experience in the 2014 squad, which includes 16 players who took part in last year's North American Tour.

"We have some exciting young players keen to make their mark like Joe Webber and Marty McKenzie who are capped for the first time, plus some very experienced older hands like Shane Christie and Elliot Dixon, so it's a very well balanced side.

"The team has a proud legacy and an enviable record against national teams so I am sure all 27 players will be working hard to ensure this tour honours that legacy.

"We are very conscious that this team plays an important role in New Zealand Rugby's high performance strategy so our selections are very much guided by that. We certainly see this tour as a valuable opportunity for players to show what they can do on the international stage.

"This tour will have its challenges - we know Japan will be keen to make the most of the two matches as it builds for Rugby World Cup 2015 and its recent successes show they cannot be taken lightly.

New Zealand Rugby was very disappointed the match against the Asia Pacific Dragons had to be cancelled.

"We feel somewhat let down that this has happened at this late stage," said New Zealand Rugby General Manager Planning and Operations Nigel Cass.

"However, the safety of our players is paramount and we were unable to get the assurances we needed that the pitch was playable.

"We think Singapore has huge potential for rugby and we remain very keen to play our part in developing the game there. We are certainly committed to coming back at some point to play this important match and in the meantime hope to take some players there after Japan to undertake community and other activities."

Maori All Blacks squad

FORWARDS
Hookers
Joe Royal - Bay of Plenty
Ash Dixon - Hawke's Bay
Codie Taylor* - Canterbury

Props
Chris Eves - Manawatu
Mike Kainga* - Bay of Plenty
Nicholas Barrett - Auckland
Brendon Edmonds*- Hawke's Bay

Locks
Tom Franklin* -Otago
Joseph Wheeler - Tasman

Loose forwards
Shane Christie (vc) - Tasman
Blade Thomson - Taranaki
Liam Squire - Tasman
Elliot Dixon - Southland
Sean Polwart* - Auckland
Dan Pryor* - Northland

BACKS

Halfbacks
Jamison Gibson-Park - Taranaki
Chris Smylie- Taranaki

First five-eighths
Ihaia West -Hawke's Bay
Marty McKenzie* - Taranaki

Midfield backs
Jason Emery* - Manawatu
Charlie Ngatai (c) - Taranaki
James Lowe* -Tasman

Outside backs
Matt Proctor - Wellington
Kurt Baker - Taranaki
Joe Webber* -Waikato
Nehe Milner-Skudder* - Manawatu
Robbie Robinson - North Harbour

* New caps