Maori teams have major challenge to tackle

Northland Maori rugby are not only helping open the eyes of youngsters in the north off the field, but also opening their eyes on it.

Many Northlanders are unaware that a local Maori team even exists, let alone they are pretty good.

Today, the Northland men's, women's and colts (under-21) teams all play in the final of Northern Region Maori rugby tournament in Auckland.

Northland men's manager Renata Poa said Maori rugby provided locals with a massive opportunity to experience sport at a higher level, potentially opening the door to the ITM Cup team.

Poa, who teaches at the Advanced Training Centre Military Prep School, said her students were blown away by the intensity when they watched a team training recently.

"They'd never seen anything like it in the north," said Poa. "Adriaan [Ferris] got talking about Northland Maori and the women's sevens and they were like 'wow they had no idea this was going on'. So hopefully we can get a few of them interested and into it."

Poa admitted there needed to be more focus put on organisational issues after the team's polo shirts were lost in the post, and are yet to arrive in the country. "The boys are going out there to represent Northland. We don't want them to be turning up in rags," he said.

Today the Northland men's team, who are the defending champions of the Maori tournament, take on Bay of Plenty, who traditionally have the wood over us.

However, Northland coach Shaun Haynes has a quality team at his disposal this year as they take the underdog tag into the final.

"We're defending the title," said Haynes, who is in his first year with the senior side. "I suppose it does have the pressure of that [defending champions] to deal with, but it is quite a solid bunch of guys. We've certainly got the talent to do the job."

As part of the Northern Region Maori Tournament, there is a haka contest before each match, of which Northland are also the defending champions.

Poa said she hopes to see some passion come out from Northland and its supporters.

The Northland teams to play in the finals today are:

Men: Justin Davies (captain), Micheal Danks, Atare Davis, Buster Tahere, Cole Campbell, Matarae Ngawati, Brent Murray, Hare Ngawiti, Whiriko Tawhiri, Tyler Lansdowne, Steve Watene, Troy Gilbert, Warren Dunn, Rhys Te Nana, Matt Wright. Reserves: Ace Barlow, Innocent Tuamavavae, Rodney Shepherd, Jordan Olsen, Alan Guest, Sam Abraham.

Colts: Chris Apoua, Dark Huihui, Jayden Matiu, Wirimu Te Iringa, Tama Korewha, Jeremy Davies, Jordan Olsin, Aorangi Stokes, Devereaux Ferris, Chris Smith, Kaden Te Nana, Josh Brown, Jared Wendt, Rob Batley, Ryson Thompson. Reserves: Elton Hawkins, Ellai George, Wirimu Phillips, Tom Smith, Peter Paraone-Dunn, Dean Kingi, Hawira Johnson.

Women: Maryanne Ranapia, Anne Carter, Celicia Perese, Elloise Blackwell, Bridget Mohi, Shakira Pia, Kayla Mohi, Michele Kauri, Timara Leaf, Aroha Heta, Harono Te Iringa, Kataraina Wira-Kohu, Missy Mangu, Eden Cherrington, Arihiana Marino. Reserves: Leilani Perese, Te Mania Te Iringa, Ayesha Apiata-Henry, Chanelle Wright, Chanel Murray, Amelia Kaea, Kaz Clayton.