Louisa Wall: Once-in-a-career opportunity

Graham Henry is a man on a mission in more ways than one.

He has for the first time in my memory prioritised New Zealand Maori selection over All Black selection for their rugby internationals. Therefore, the Maori team have the opportunity to field a full-strength side today that will provide competition the Lions need before the first test on June 25 in Christchurch.

So instead of Carl Hayman, Jono Gibbes, Rico Gear, Leon McDonald and Marty Holah playing for the All Blacks in their season opener against Fiji at North Harbour Stadium last night, they will be playing for Maori coach Matt Te Pou against the Lions in Hamilton.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has a clear order of precedence for team selections but given this "once-in-a-career opportunity" to play the Lions, the New Zealand Rugby Union decided players will be given the opportunity to play for their province or for New Zealand Maori against the Lions first.

So, Henry has by default created a fourth test for the Lions to prepare for.

I hope the Lions take this match as seriously as we do.

Lions head coach Sir Clive Woodward has already rubbished the efforts of his predecessor on the 2001 tour to Australia, so how he treats this match will provide an interesting critique of his respect, or otherwise, for Graham Henry, given Henry's choice to prioritise players for this Maori test match.

The Lions have toured New Zealand seven times and the Maori are yet to win a match against them. The Maori did not get a game against them when they toured in 1983.

Tonight's game has immense historical significance.

It provides an excellent opportunity to honour the legacy of past Maori players and to beat a side that a Maori team has yet to conquer.

Matt Te Pou has coached the team since 1994 and he has never had all the All Blacks available.

If this proves worthwhile, then maybe Maori teams in the future will have full access to all eligible players for such formidable opponents (the Wallabies next, maybe?).

There is a chance that this practice will be seen as helpful to preparing the All Blacks and all New Zealand teams working together to expand the pool of potential international players.

Kia kaha, Maori All Blacks - let's play with the pride and passion deserving of the occasion and, above all else, win.

* Louisa Wall is a former New Zealand rugby and netball representative.