Rugby: Two debutants for Maori All Blacks

Sam Henwood of Counties Manukau will make his Maori All Blacks debut. Photo / Getty

Two debutants have been named amid four changes to the run-on Maori All Blacks side to meet the French Barbarians in Bordeaux this weekend.

Lock Keepa Mewett and openside flanker Sam Henwood will don the black jersey for the first time, while Jackson Garden-Bachop replaces Ihaia West at first-five and Shaun Stevenson is in for Ambrose Curtis on the left wing.

Halfback Jonathan Ruru and midfielder Teihorangi Weldon will likely make their debuts off the bench.

Coach Clayton McMillan says for the Barbarians he has picked a bigger side than the one which downed Canada 51-9.

"We're expecting the French to want to take our side on up front, to be direct, but it would be remiss of us to think they aren't going to play traditional Barbarians rugby at some stage, and look to give it some air, which is French rugby, let alone Barbarians rugby.

"Jackson Garden-Bachop had an outstanding Mitre 10 Cup and a little bit like the halfback situation, he gives us a little bit more size and the ability to be more direct and Ihaia (West) will give us speed off the bench.

"Jonathan Ruru, Tei Walden, both out of Otago, have been playing really well for the best part of two seasons now. Jonno is a bigger boy and against the French we might need somebody who is virtually half a forward and Tei gives us some versatility off the bench."

McMillan said the side was "a bit banged up" after Canada.

"The astro turf, while it's nice to play on, it has its downsides. There are a number of boys sporting some nasty grazes and we picked up a couple of injuries in the game."

MAORI ALL BLACKS: Charlie Ngatai, Sean Wainui, Tim Bateman, Rob Thompson, Shaun Stevenson, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Brad Weber, Akira Ioane, Sam Henwood, Tom Franklin, Keepa Mewett, Jackson Hemopo, Marcel Renata, Ash Dixon (capt), Chris Eves.

Reserves: Liam Polwart, Ross Wright, Tyrel Lomax, Jordan Manihera, Dan Pryor, Jonathan Ruru, Ihaia West, Teihorangi Walden.

- NZN