Kane Hames scores a try for Maori All Blacks v USA in Chicago last November. Photo / Photosport
Kane Hames scores a try for Maori All Blacks v USA in Chicago last November. Photo / Photosport
Liam Messam and Kane Hames were teenagers when they first played age group rugby for Bay of Plenty.
Now they will run out on to Rotorua International Stadium together for the Maori All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions in Saturday night's sold-out fixture.
In the crowd will be multiple generations of their whanau, proud as punch to see their boys playing for the Maori All Blacks at the genuine home of Maori rugby.
Since losing to the All Blacks in a rare internal tour match in 1973, the Maori All Blacks have been unbeaten in six games at Rotorua International Stadium, with magnificent victories over England, Ireland and Argentina the standouts.
The Maori All Blacks also beat the Lions for the first time in Hamilton in 2005.
Messam, 33, and Hames, 28, know all about the history and what it means to wear the black jersey at home.
"It will be a massive honour. The past games have been on TV lately and the 2005 game which just adds to the excitement. To be able to pull on the Maori jersey at home against the Lions is a once in a lifetime dream come true," Messam said.
"Hopefully all goes well and I can get up on my home patch and rip into them."
The former Rotorua Boys' High School First XV captain wants to get a chance to take a few of his teammates back to the old school.
"Yeah I always love going back to the school and catching up with (principal) Mr Grinter and seeing how they are going. I know the First XV have performed pretty well over the last few years so it will be a pleasure to go back."
Kane Hames scores a try for Maori All Blacks v USA in Chicago last November. Photo / Photosport
Hames grew up in Eastern Bay of Plenty and began his secondary years at Trident High School before moving to Te Aute College. He says he misses his job as a rugby development officer for Bay of Plenty Rugby.
When he made the Maori All Blacks in 2013 it was the first New Zealand team he was selected for.
"I am representing a lot of people. People who have helped me on my journey and people in my wider family that have had a lot to do with me and a lot of kids I have coached," Hames said.
"I take it personally that I am representing that story with the jersey I get to wear and obviously hope to perform in that jersey as well."
Hames loves the history surrounding the British and Irish Lions.
"I remember the tour back in 2005 and doing the maths in my head thinking to myself, man will I be playing rugby at the age of 28 and will I get a chance to play against them?
"It is something that I have always been really interested in. I remember watching the Lions tours to Australia and South Africa as well."
