Brett gets consolation prize with NZ Maori
Stephen Brett has gained the consolation of a place in the New Zealand Maori side for the Pacific Nations Cup tournament after missing out on All Blacks selection.
Stephen Brett has gained the consolation of a place in the New Zealand Maori side for the Pacific Nations Cup tournament after missing out on All Blacks selection.
Brett had been considered a possibility for the All Blacks but missed out to Stephen Donald in the final mix when the squads were announced on Sunday.
“He can play ten and twelve. I'm not too sure why the All Blacks selectors have not picked him,” said New Zealand Maori coach Donny Stevenson.
Wellington utility back Tamati Ellison and Waikato loose forward Liam Messam have been named co-captains of the Maori squad that make their debut in the tournament against Australia A, Japan, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.
Stevenson said the competition would provide a new and exciting challenge for the team.
“This year will be the first time in a while that we will play five matches on consecutive weekends and that will be a huge test for the team,” he said.
“Our Pacific Island rivals are very passionate about their rugby, Japan continues to improve on the international stage and we know Australia A will be a tough team in Sydney.
“But that's the challenge and we are thrilled to compete in this competition.”
Auckland openside flanker Daniel Braid is the only player from the All Blacks wider training squad to make the Maori squad.
He is one of three former All Blacks in the Maori mix along with locks Ross Filipo and Jason Eaton while scrum-half Piri Weepu has also been included.
The side contains mostly Super 14 regulars and six new caps – Canterbury midfield back Tim Bateman, Eaton, Brett, Hawke's Bay hooker Hikawera Elliot, Wellington prop Jacob Ellison and Hawke's Bay prop Clint Newland.
The Maori side play Tonga in Auckland on Saturday, followed by matches against Fiji in Lautoka on June 14, Samoa in Hamilton on June 21, Japan in Napier on June 28 and Australia A in Sydney on July 6.
New Zealand Maori squad:
Backs: Glen Horton (Otago), Shannon Paku (Wellington), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Jason Kawau (Southland), Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato), Tamati Ellison (Wellington), Tim Bateman (Canterbury), Callum Bruce (Waikato), Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Chris Smylie (North Harbour)
Forwards: Thomas Waldrom (Wellington), Daniel Braid (Auckland, captain), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Liam Messam (Waikato), Hoani MacDonald (Southland), Hayden Triggs (Manawatu), Ross Filipo (Wellington), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Jacob Ellison (Wellington), Clint Newland (Hawke's Bay), Ben May (Tasman), Keith Cameron (Otago), Aled de Malmanche (Waikato), Hikawera Elliot (Hawke's Bay)