The Māori All Blacks and Moana Pasifika teams have left their training boots on the bus this afternoon for a pōwhiri at the Tūrangawaewae Marae in Northern Waikato.
Pasifika forward Naitoa Ah Kuoi says members of the side are thrilled to be representing three nations. Photo: RNZ
The two teams are in the region ahead of an historic clash at Hamilton's FMG stadium on Saturday night.
It's the only time the Māori All Blacks will hit the field this year and the first time they've played in Hamilton since 2008.
The two teams were welcomed on to the marae today - the Māori King watching on - and the pōwhiri slightly revised with no handshaking or hongi because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Photo: RNZ / Riley Kennedy
The Māori All Blacks will hit the field with eight debutants. Coach Clayton McMillan said being in the squad was special.
"We put a big emphasis on making sure we acknowledge the past and we add our own footprint in terms of the present and we do the jersey proud to make sure the team has a future," McMillan said.
"It's so young people can aspire to be Māori All Blacks and do what we do."
Highlanders lock and Māori All Black Manaaki Selby-Rickit says bringing the two cultures together for the game is important.
"I think it's pretty cool we came together and on good terms today but I think Saturday is going to be a huge difference," he said.
Chiefs centre Quinn Tupaea said it meant a lot to be pulling on the black jersey this weekend.
"It means a lot for our Māori community, to get into the Māori All Blacks. It is going to be a very attacking game," Tupaea said.
"The boys are looking forward to it."
A Super rugby side in waiting, the Moana Pasifika squad is made up of current and former international players, and a number of players eligible for international Pasifika teams.
One-test All Black and Highlander Josh Ioane will be in the Pasifika backline.
He said the side only got together at the beginning of the week, but are preparing well.
Josh Ioane: "We're tracking well." Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"We came in on Monday, we had a lot of ceremonies and are getting the boys to learn a lot about our cultures," Ioane said.
"We got into the rugby on Tuesday, it's only a week to prepare but we're tracking well."
Newly signed Chiefs lock and starting forward in the Pasifika side Naitoa Ah Kuoi said being part of the first ever Moana Pasifika side was a privilege.
"This is really important, just because it's the first one and we get to represent our families from all three nations, it's awesome."
The match - which kicks off at 7.30pm - caps off a big weekend of international sport in Hamilton with the first cricket test between the Blackcaps and West Indies also taking place down the road at Seddon Park.
Moana Pasifika side to take on Maori All Blacks
1. Daniel Lienert-Brown
2. Leni Apisai
3. Michael Alaalatoa (c)
4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
5. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
6. Peseta Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
7. Alamanda Motuga
8. Pita-Gus Sowakula
9. Folau Fakatava
10. Josh Ioane
11. Salesi Rayasi
12. Vince Aso
13. Fetuli Paea
14. Leicester Faingaanuku
15. Stephen Perofeta
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16. Samisoni Taukie'aho
17. Jordan Lay
18. Sione Mafielo
19. Samipeni Finau
20. Nasi Manu
21. Dwayne Polataivao
22. Asaeli Tikoroituma
23. Taimalelagi aEtene Nanai-Seturo