The Maori All Blacks are all geared up for Saturday’s clash against the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

Maori All Blacks assistant coach Roger Randle said the team had come together well and would spend the next few days connecting off the field.

He described the game against the Flying Fijians who are ranked ninth in the world as a ‘massive challenge’.

“We’ve seen a bit of footage from them and obviously last year they beat France in France which is no easy feat,” Randle told the New Zealand Herald.

“We’re really up for the challenge, that’s what we’ve spoken about in the last 24 hours. Our leaders have been around the team for a long time and we’ve always wanted some quality opposition- we’ve definitely got that against Fiji.

“Some of us have played over there and the culture and the environment are second to none. We’re expecting warmer weather than back home but we’re just trying to get our week right so we can go over there in the right mindset.”

Randle said they are also excited on hosting the second game against the Flying Fijians in Rotorua on July 20.

“It’s not often you get to play in a Maori team in New Zealand so getting our whanau along in support will be massive. We’ve got a big week in Fiji first and we’ll be looking forward to coming home and getting back here.”

Head coach Clayton McMillan said the squad named for the Fiji game was an exciting mix.

‘’I think we have a good balance between the experience of guys who know how to perform at this level, and those who bring an important fresh perspective and energy,’’ he said.

‘’We also have some returning after an absence and they will bring some important knowledge into our group. ‘We have named 26 players with one more, likely to be a prop, to be added before we travel.’’

The match kicks-off at 3pm.

MAORI ALL BLACKS (to face Fiji)

Forwards: Ash Dixon, Nathan Harris, Tyrel Lomax, Ben May, Marcel Renata, Ross Wright, Tom Franklin, Pari Pari Parkinson, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Mitchell Karpik, Reed Prinsep.

Backs: Bryn Hall, Jonathan Ruru, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fletcher Smith, Alex Nankivell, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Jordan Hyland, Shaun Stevenson, Sean Wainui.

Edited by Osea Bola

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