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Māori All Blacks name lethal-looking backline to face the Lions

The pack’s not bad either.

Murray Kinsella reports from Rotorua

COLIN COOPER HAS named a dangerous Māori All Blacks team for Saturday’s clash with the Lions in Rotorua [KO 8.35am Irish time, Sky Sports].

James Lowe beats the tackle by Jannes Kirsten Leinster-bound James Lowe will be at 15. Photosport / Bruce Lim/INPHO Photosport / Bruce Lim/INPHO / Bruce Lim/INPHO

The backline is laden with attacking talent, as the Chiefs’ Damian McKenzie gets set to lead their efforts in the 10 shirt. His club-mate Charlie Ngatai is at inside centre, while Hurricanes man Matt Proctor is at 13.

The back three looks particularly explosive with the Leinster-bound James Lowe at fullback, and Rieko Ioane – who did damage against the Lions for the Blues – and the outrageously talented Nehe Milner-Skudder slotting in on the wings.

The experienced Tawera Kerr-Barlow will provide service from scrum-half, while Akira Ioane, Liam Messam and Elliot Dixon form a dynamic, combative back row.

Akira and Rieko Ioane celebrate winning The Ioane brothers are back for more. Photosport / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO Photosport / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO / Andrew Cornaga/INPHO

Highlanders pair Joe Wheeler and Tom Franklin are the locks, while Ben May and Kane Hames take the propping positions and Ash Dixon captains the side at hooker.

Among the replacements is Blues out-half Ihaia West, who scored the winning try against the Lions last week in Eden Park.

Māori All Blacks (v Lions):

15. James Lowe
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
13. Matt Proctor
12. Charlie Ngatai
11. Rieko Ioane
10. Damian McKenzie
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow

1. Kane Hames
2. Ash Dixon (captain)
3. Ben May
4. Joe Wheeler
5. Tom Franklin
6. Akira Ioane
7. Elliot Dixon
8. Liam Messam

Replacements:

16. Hika Elliot
17. Chris Eves
18. Marcel Renata
19. Leighton Price
20. Kara Pryor
21. Bryn Hall
22. Ihaia West
23. Rob Thomson

Referee: Jaco Peyper [SARU].

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Author
Murray Kinsella
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