KEY POINTS:
Rua Tipoki will leads one of the most inexperienced New Zealand Maori lineups in recent years when they kick off the Churchill Cup rugby tournament in Northampton tomorrow morning (NZ time).
It will be a rare occasion for the Maori team to take the field without at least
one recent All Black in the side, with only a handful of regular Super 14 players in the run-on side to play Canada at Franklin's Gardens.
"We've got some solid leadership in the team but in terms of playing experience, this is a very young side," coach Donny Stevenson said.
Fullback Shannon Paku , first five-eighth Callum Bruce, flanker Angus Macdonald, lock Kristian Ormbsy and midfielder Tipoki are the only players in the team who have had a diet of Super 14 this year, although most of them were not regulars in their teams.
Stevenson has been denied one of his best players -- loose forward Liam Messam -- who suffered a fracture in his foot at training. Messam is flying home this weekend.
"It's a major disappointment for Liam and the team. He was one of the stars of last year's tournament and he had a very, very good Super 14," Stevenson said of the Chiefs loose forward.
Messam has been replaced in the squad by Taranaki's Jarrad Hoeata, who played for New Zealand Sevens in Dubai and South Africa last year.
"Whatever this team is lacking in terms of experience and maybe a little bulk, it's making it up with enthusiasm and spirit. This is an extremely proud group I have here.
"Although the combinations are new, these guys have played in the Super 14 or other New Zealand teams before."
Otago prop Keith Cameron, Southland centre Jason Kawau, Canterbury lock Isaac Ross and Wellington prop Hoani Tui will make their debut in the team.
Hurricanes fullback/winger Paku and Crusaders' midfielder Tipoki have been guiding back play.
"I think we're fully prepared. We've had two weeks together so there will be no excuses. They're ready to play today."
Stevenson said Canada were strong in the contact area and first and second phase play.
"We've played them a few times now to know their strengths."
Cardiff halfback Ed Fairhurst, 28, will captain Canada for the first time on Saturday.
The United States, Ireland A, England A and Scotland A were the other teams in the tournament and all, except New Zealand Maori, have been in action already.
Scotland A fielded 10 capped players in their 13-9 win over the US that led to US chief executive Nigel Melville complaining about their strong selection.
Melville insisted the tournament had been set up to develop players, and second tier nations, rather than give game time to current top-tier internationals.
Implying Scotland's team selection was not in the spirit of the tournament, Melville said: "I thought this was meant to be a development tournament, but obviously not. Maybe their first-team players are still in development."
NZ Maori: Shannon Paku, Pehi Te Whare, Jason Kawau, Rua Tipoki (captain), Anthony Tahana, Callum Bruce, Chris Smylie, Warren Smith, Scott Waldrom, Angus Macdonald, Isaac Ross, Kristian Ormsby, Hoani Tui, Luke Mahoney, Keith Cameron. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Craig West, Jarrad Hoeata, Hayden Triggs, James Rodley, Tamati Ellison, Dwayne Sweeney.
Canada: Michael Pyke, Dean Van Camp, Craig Culpan (Meraloma), Derek Daypuck, James Pritchard, Ander Monro, Ed Fairhurst (captain), David Biddle, Adam Kleeberger, Mike Webb, Michael Burak, Luke Tait, Scott Franklin, Pat Riordan, Kevin Tkachuk. Reserves: Aaron Carpenter, Dan Pletch, Mike Pletch, Josh Jackson, Stanley McKeen, Morgan Williams, Nathan Hirayama
- NZPA