Rugby: NZ Maori make five changes for Ireland clash

Aaron Smith has replaced injured halfback Chris Smylie in the NZ Maori team. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Maori rugby team have made five changes to their side to face Ireland in the second match of their centenary series, against Ireland in Rotorua on Friday.

From the starting side who beat a New Zealand Barbarians side 37-31 in Whangarei on Saturday, coach Jamie Joseph has made three changes to the forward pack and two to the backline.

Up front, prop Ben Afeaki replaces Clint Newland while both locks are replaced. Isaac Ross makes way for Hayden Triggs and Daniel Ramsay sees his place taken by loose forward specialist Jarrad Hoeata, whose place on the blindside flank is assumed by captain Liam Messam, with Colin Bourke introduced to Messam's No 8 slot of last week.

Dwayne Sweeney will start at centre in place of Waikato teammate Jackson Willison while halfback Aaron Smith is promoted from the reserve bench in place of the injured Chris Smylie.

Hawke's Bay loose forward Karl Lowe, Taranaki first-five Willie Ripia and Wellington halfback Ruki Tipuna are all on the reserve bench and all could make their New Zealand Maori debut.

Joseph said some hard work and planning had been needed since the close defeat of the Barbarians.

"(That) was definitely a good test for us and we came out of that game with areas we know we need to work on and that has been our focus this week," he said.

"There is a great buzz around Rotorua at the moment and the team knows the whole town is behind them. The fact that we are about to play in the same place as the first ever game played by the New Zealand Maori Rugby team 100 years ago, is very special."
The Maori team's final match of their centenary season will be against England in Napier on Wednesday next week.

NZ Maori
Robbie Robinson, Sean Maitland, Dwayne Sweeney, Luke McAlister, Hosea Gear, Stephen Brett, Aaron Smith, Colin Bourke, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam (captain), Jarrad Hoeata, Hayden Triggs, Ben Afeaki, Corey Flynn, Bronson Murray.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Clint Newlands, Romana Graham, Karl Lowe, Ruki Tipuna, Willie Ripia, Jackson Willison

Ireland
Geordan Murphy (captain), Shane Horgan, Gavin Duffy, Paddy Wallace, Johne Murphy, Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan, Marcus Horan, John Fogarty, Tom Court, Ed O'Donoghue, Dan Tuohy, Rhys Ruddock, Niall Ronan, Chris Henry.

Reserves: Sean Cronin, John Hayes, Donncha O'Callaghan, David Wallace, Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Rob Kearney.

- NZPA