Maori ready for Baabaas

With their honour on the line, Saturday's match at Northland Events Centre against the New Zealand Barbarians is a crucial one for New Zealand Maori, in Maori rugby's centennial year.
Maori assistant coach Daryl Gibson said this weekend's game was vital to the rest of the three-match programme, as it would be a good indication of whether his side was up to the challenge of playing international teams.
"Essentially it is New Zealand A who we are playing under the guise of the Barbarians, seven of whom are All Blacks. They are a very good team and we will need to play very well to beat them."
While their clash with the Barbarians on Saturday was suitable preparation for the Maori ahead of playing Ireland on June 18 in Rotorua, followed by England in Napier on June 23, the Northern Hemisphere sides would be a very different kettle of fish, Gibson suggested.
"The Barbarians are mainly all drawn from New Zealand-based players and Northern Hemisphere teams play very differently. While the Baabaas will be ideal preparation for us, the approach we take into the games against Ireland and England will be different."
NZ Maori had only their second  training session at Marist Rugby Park, yesterday, and put in a much improved effort following their initial session at North Harbour on Tuesday.
"They are getting to know one another and how everyone plays - all the players [except two] are Super 14 players and essentially all the franchises play the same style of rugby so it shouldn't take too long to get everyone on the same page." While the Maori have strengths across the paddock, Gibson rated their dynamic backline, including Hosea Gear, Luke McAlister and Sean Maitland, as one to be reckoned with.
Spurring  the players on was the responsibility of wearing and honouring their individually made jerseys with their respective Maori heritage embroidered on them, in the 100th year of Maori rugby.

"Over the past two days we have had a lot of people talk to us about the history of Maori rugby and the boys are more than aware of their responsibilities when they put on the jersey. We have had many positive comments on the design of the jersey from both Maori and Pakeha, and the guys want to honour the jersey ... and win games," Gibson said.
NZ Maori and the Barbarians kick off  at 4.30pm on Saturday at Northland Events Centre.
NZ Maori: Bronson Murray, Corey Flynn, Clint Newland, Isaac Ross, Daniel Ramsay*, Jarrad Hoeata, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam (c), Chris Smylie, Stephen Brett, Hosea Gear, Luke McAlister, Jackson Willison*, Sean Maitland *, Robbie Robinson*. Reserves: Dane Coles*, Ben Afeaki*, Romana Graham*, Hayden Triggs, Colin Bourke*, Aaron Smith*, Dwayne Sweeney
 (* NZ Maori debutant).
NZ Barbarians: Jamie Mackintosh, John Afoa, Charlie Faumuina, Josh Bekhuis, Kevin O'Neill, Scott Waldrom, Alando Soakai (c), Peter Saili, Alby Mathewson, Colin Slade, Fetu Vainikolo, Ben Smith, Rene Ranger, Bryce Heem, Jared Payne. Reserves: Andrew van der Heijden, Dean Budd, Rhyan Caine, Lachie Munro, Daniel Bowden, Tom Court, Damien Varley.