Auckland rep side named to face NZ Maori Residents

Auckland representative side named to face NZ Maori Residents

Auckland head coach Richie Blackmore has today named his side to face the New Zealand Maori Residents on May 30.

The Queen's Birthday Weekend clash at Rotorua's Puketewharo Park forms part of a bumper weekend for Auckland representative sides, with the Auckland Vulcans Development U/21 team touring the West Coast and Canterbury at the same time.

Included in the Auckland side is former Kiwi international Tevita Latu, while 2013 USA World Cup member Roman Hifo is the captain.

“We’re excited about the potential of this squad, with a number of our players having been on the fringe of NSW Cup selection recently," Blackmore said.

"It's exciting that the full Auckland rep side is back in action - the jersey has such a long and rich history - I understand that and the players understand that.

"It's an honour to be a part of this occasion."

There will be plenty of familiar faces in the New Zealand Maori Residents, with 14 of their players currently plying their trade in Auckland's first division competition, the Appliance Shed Fox Memorial Premiership.

The Maori team will be coached by former Auckland Vulcans head coach and Vodafone Warriors assistant Ricky Henry, and features several current Warriors' reserve grade players.

"It's an impressive lineup and we will have to be switched on if we want to beat them," Blackmore added.

"They have a number of very experienced players in their squad who I would have loved to have picked for the Auckland side."

Auckland Rugby League CEO John Ackland said one of the organisation's strategic goals was to bring back meaningful representative opportunities which help to grow not just the game in Auckland, but all over New Zealand.

"There's always been something special about playing for Auckland, and there has been plenty of excitement ahead of this game," Ackland said.

"Meeting the New Zealand Maori Residents in a mid-season clash like this is great for the wider game in this country, and it's a fantastic opportunity for the players and staff involved to experience representative football."

Match details

Auckland v New Zealand Maori Residents

Saturday, May 30 - 6pm kick-off - Puketawhero Park, Rotorua

Auckland team to play New Zealand Maori Residents

(1) Siua Otunuku (Pt Chevalier)

(2) Saula Solomona (Pt Chevalier)

(3) Atunaisa Tupou (Papakura)

(4) Semisi Fotu (Mt Albert)

(5) Corey Seator (Marist)

(6) Eliakim Uasi (Papakura)

(7) Raymond Taimale (Mangere East)

(8) Eddie Purcell (Mt Albert)

(9) Tevita Latu (Pt Chevalier)

(10) Herman Retzlaff (Pt Chevalier)

(11) Stedman Lefau (Papakura)

(12) Sione Feao (Otahuhu)

(13) Roman Hifo (captain, Papakura)

(14) Semisi Ma'u (Marist)

(15) Daniel Palavi (Mt Albert)

(16) Peter Oliveti (Papakura)

(17) Pakisonasi Afu (Pt Chevalier)

(18) Simon Luafalealo (Marist)

Head coach: Richie Blackmore

Manager: Darren Brady

Trainer: Jack Prendergrast

New Zealand Maori Residents team to play Auckland

James Bell (Warriors, Auckland), David Bhana (Warriors, Auckland), Trent Bishop (Howick, Auckland)

, Jono Carl (Pt Chevalier, Auckland), Sam Cook (Warriors, Auckland), Matiu Stone-Dunn (Richmond, Auckland), Carlos Hotene (Howick, Auckland), Arden McCarthy (Pt Chevalier, Auckland), Dylan Moses (Pt Chevalier, Auckland), Mike Nathan (Te Aroha, Wellington), Jeremiah Pai (Pt Chevalier, Auckland), Dillon Rota (Mt Albert, Auckland), Kouma Samson (Glenora, Auckland), Dion Snell (Mt Albert, Auckland), Malo Solomona (Pt Chevalier, Auckland), Taylor Daniels (Northcote, Auckland), Cody Te Awa (Hornby, Canterbury), Zac Tippins (Mt Albert, Auckland), Tony Tuia (Howick, Auckland), Jared Tua (Warriors, Auckland), Manu Weepu (Mt Albert, Auckland)

ENDS

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