Rotoiti's Royal named in Maori All Blacks

Rotoiti's Joe Royal scores a try against Whaka in May 2014.

Rotoiti and Bay Steamers forward Joe Royal has been named in the Maori All Blacks squad to play Fiji and the New Zealand Barbarians next month.

The hooker, who also made last year's team, is the only Bay of Plenty player to make the side.

"I didn't see it coming, so I am just stoked.

"I didn't think I would have made it, there are a number of other Super Rugby players I thought would of got the call up," a surpised Royal said.

Coach Colin Cooper said the 2015 squad was an exciting mix of experienced hands and promising young talent. It includes 13 players who took part in last year's tour to Japan and three members of the successful New Zealand Under 20 team which won the recent World Championship title in Italy.

"This is a well-balanced side with some very experienced campaigners who have now played on several tours and know our systems well. I'll be expecting them to lead by example and show the new boys the high standards we expect.

"We have a proud record of success to uphold and I am sure this side will work hard to honour the great legacy of the Maori All Blacks," said Cooper.

The 27-strong squad departs for Fiji on Wednesday, July 8.

The Maori All Blacks squad is:

FORWARDS
Hookers - Joe Royal, Te Arawa, Bay of Plenty; Ash Dixon, Hawke's Bay; Quentin MacDonald, Tasman. Props - Chris Eves, Manawatu; Brendon Edmonds, Hawke's Bay; Josh Hohneck, Waikato; Ben May, Wellington. Locks - Hayden Triggs, Auckland; Jacob Skeen, Waikato; Blade Thomson, Taranaki.
Loose forwards - Shane Christie, Tasman; Elliot Dixon, Southland; Akira Ioane, Auckland; Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Manawatu; Mitchell Crosswell, Taranaki.

BACKS
Halfbacks Jamison Gibson-Park, Taranaki; Brad Weber, Waikato FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH Damian McKenzie* Ngati Tuwharetoa Waikato Otere Black* Ngai Tuhoe/Te Whanau-a-Apanui/Ngati Tuwharetoa Manawatu MIDFIELD BACKS Jason Emery Ngati Haua/Ngati Maniapoto Manawatu Charlie Ngatai (c) Ngati Porou/Te Whanau-a-Apanui Taranaki Sean Wainui* Ngai Tuhoe/Ngati Porou Taranaki OUTSIDE BACKS Kurt Baker Ngapuhi Taranaki Rieko Ioane* Te Whanau-a-Apanui Auckland Marty McKenzie Ngati Tuwharetoa Taranaki Matt Proctor Ngai te Rangi/Ngapuhi Wellington Codey Rei* Ruahine/Te Atiawa Taranaki *new cap 2014 Maori All Blacks squad members not available because of injury were; Tom Franklin, Mike Kainga, James Lowe, Sean Polwart, Dan Pryor and Joe Webber.

Maori All Blacks 2015 matches Saturday 11 July v Fiji, ANZ National Stadium, Suva. Kickoff 3pm Saturday 18 July v New Zealand Barbarians, Eden Park, Auckland. Kickoff 7.35pm