Local hero to lead Maori in Hamilton

Jono Gibbes hurt his foot against Fiji last week. Picture / Greg Bowker

Home-town hero Jono Gibbes has been picked to lead the NZ Maori side against the Lions on Saturday, but there may be worries about his ability to last the match.

Gibbes suffered a foot injury in last week's narrow win against Fiji, but was named yesterday as blindside flanker for the third match of the Lions tour.

Coach Matt Te Pou was upbeat about Gibbes' involvement in the team, saying he had not made any alternative plans.

Former All Black first five-eighths Carlos Spencer returned yesterday from several festival matches in Britain, went straight to training in Hamilton and has been included in the reserves.

Another Hamilton favourite, David Hill, was confirmed to start at first five-eighths after recovering from a knock to his shoulder against Fiji.

Spencer will be used during the match, which will be his last in New Zealand before he returns to the UK to take up a three-year deal with the Northampton club.

Nine of the Maori starting side have played for the All Blacks, and reserves Greg Feek, Daniel Braid and Spencer have also achieved that honour.

There are five changes from the side who scraped home 29-27 in the heat and trying conditions against Fiji. The Crusaders quartet of Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Caleb Ralph and Corey Flynn, and Chiefs lock Sean Hohneck, have been promoted.

Te Pou said he considered using two speedy flankers with Marty Holah and Braid, but eased away from that idea when Braid tweaked his hamstring.

The Maori have yet to beat the Lions in five attempts since 1930, although the Lions' biggest winning margin was the 12 points in 1971.

This season, in a change approved by the New Zealand Rugby Union and endorsed by the national selectors, Te Pou has first choice of any test players ahead of Friday's international with Fiji.

The Lions will reveal tomorrow their side to play the Maori and there's a feeling Welsh first-five Stephen Jones will play his first tour game ahead of Jonny Wilkinson.

There will also be interest in whether Scottish loose forward Simon Taylor has recovered from his hamstring problem and if other late arrivals will be chosen.


* NZ Maori v Lions Hamilton, Saturday 7.10pm NZT (8.10am BST/IST)


Leon MacDonald Rico Gear Rua Tipoki Luke McAlisterCaleb Ralph David Hill Piri Weepu Angus Macdonald Marty Holah Jono Gibbes (c) Sean Hohneck Ross Filipo Carl Hayman Corey Flynn Deacon Manu


Reserves: Scott Linklater, Greg Feek, Daniel Braid, Wayne Ormond, Craig McGrath, Carlos Spencer, Neil Brew