Visting Maori name side for tour opener

The New Zealand Maori have named their XV for their visit to Welford Road this Tuesday.  

Controversial fly half Willie Ripia makes his first class come back after leaving the Western Force in January in disgrace.  Ripia was accused of stealing from teammates to fund a crippling gambling addiction. He has only played 8 games for Bay of Plenty's development side since and his inclusion in the tour has hit the headlines in his native New Zealand. 

6 players are making their Maori debuts whilst a further 5 could do so from the bench.  The starters are Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Frae Wilson, Kade Poki, Charlie Ngatai and Kurt Baker.  Andre Taylor, Quentin MacDonald, Nick Crosswell, Jamison Gibson-Park, and Declan O'Donnell are all on the bench and waiting for their first taste of Maori action.

The bulk of the team is from the Highlanders (7), Hurricanes (6) and Cheifs (6) with only the Auckland based Blues having no representation after their poor Super Rugby Season.  Flanker Shane Christie and Jamison Gibson-Park have both been drafted for next years Super Rugby by the Crusaders and the Blues respectively. 

Maori team:
1. Ben May (Hurricanes)
2. Hika Elliot* (Chiefs)
3. Ben Afeaki (Chiefs)
4. Jarrad Hoeata* (Highlanders)
5. Jason Eaton* (Hurricanes)
6. Shane Christie (Tasman/No Super Rugby)
7. Tanerau Latimer* (c) (Chiefs)
8. Elliot Dixon (Highlanders)
9. Frae Wilson (Hurricanes)
10. Willie Ripia (Bay of Plenty)
11. Kade Poki (Highlanders)
12. Tim Bateman (Hurricanes)
13. Charlie Ngatai (Hurricanes)
14. Kurt Baker (Highlanders)
15. Andre Taylor (Hurricanes)
Reserves:
16. Quentin MacDonald (Crusaders)
17. Jacob Ellison (Highlanders)
18. Bronson Murray (Highlanders)
19. Romana Graham (Chiefs)
20. Nick Crosswell (Highlanders)
21. Jamison Gibson-Park (Taranaki/No Super Rugby)
22. Jackson Willison (Chiefs)
23. Declan O'Donnell (Chiefs)
*Indicates capped for New Zealand All Blacks at test level

Logo named in Samoan November Tests Squad

Logovii Mulpola has been named in Samoa's squad for this November's Autumn Internationals.  They play Canada (in Colwyn Bay, which is a bit of a joke) on November 9th, Wales on November 16th and France on November 24th.  He will miss 4 Tigers games but only 1 in the Premiership (Wasps Away on November 24th), and he could make that if he fails to gain selection in the final test.  

Once again there is a suspicious lack of Northampton players in a "minor" nations test squad as Ken and George Pisi are both left out.  Consider Tongahuia not playing for Tonga between the 2007 and 2011 World Cups and American Samu Manoa not representing USA at the 2011 World Cup and very dodgy pattern emerges.  Whether these are genuine selection stinkers by the respective nations or undue politiking from the "Saints" is surely for PRL and the IRB to investigate.  It undermines the Premiership when one side has its international players available and its rivals doesn't and it undermines international rugby when a nations best representatives are being barred from playing.  

Harlequins have Maurice Faasavalu selected but James Johnston misses out in a competitive front row to Mulipola and his elder brother Census Johnston of Toulouse.

Another notable name is of course Alesana Tuilagi who will be part of the touring party. 

1. Sakaria Taulafo - UK
2. Logovii Mulipola – UK
3. Census Johnston – FRA
4. Viliamu Afatia – FRA
5. Tii Paulo – FRA
6. Ole Avei – FRA
7. Daniel Leo – FRA
8. Faatiga Lemalu – NZ
9. Joe Tekori – FRA
10. Filo Paulo – NZ
11. Taiasina Tuifu’a – UK
12. Ofisa Treviranus – UK
13. Maurie Faasavalu – UK
14. Tivani Foma’I – NZ
15. Kane Thompson – JPN
16. Ropeti Lafo
17. Kahn Fotualii – Wales
18. Jeremy Su’a – NZ
19. Auvasa Falealii – NZ
20. Tusi Pisi – JPN
21. Ki Anufe – NZ
22. Setaimata Sa – UK
23. Seilala Mapusua – JPN
24. Paul Williams –UK
25. Robert Lilomaiava – Samoa
26. David Lemi – UK - Captain
27. Reupenna Levasa – Samoa
28. Paul Perez – SA
29. Faatoina Autagavaia – NZ
30. Alesana Tuilagi – JPN

EXCLUSIVE: Tigers to face NZ Maori!

EXCLUSIVE: NZ Maori will kick off their European Tour with a match against Leicester Tigers on Tuesday November 13th with a kick off of 7:30.

This is a fantastic coup for the Tigers to go along with the previous games against South Africa and Australia.

The Maori will also play against a Championship XV at Doncaster on Saturday the 17th and will play Canada at Oxford University sports grounds on Friday November 23rd.