Top-tier Maori target test spots

Jono Gibbes

Jono Gibbes baulks at suggestions that he leads the strongest New Zealand Maori team in a decade, but admits they have more than ever to play for.

The Maori meet a Fijian side in apparent disarray at Suva tomorrow, before clashing with the Lions at Hamilton eight days later.

For the first time in his 11 years as Maori coach, Matt Te Pou has had selectorial precedence over the All Blacks and said his team were "certainly" the best in his tenure.

Gibbes did not want to put them on such a pedestal.

"I don't think there's any tangible way to measure the best teams," he said. "We're in a fortunate position that we have first choice on some of the experienced players, guys such as Carl Hayman, Rico Gear and Corey Flynn.

"They're guys who would have been in the All Black trial, so it's good for the team ... "

Gibbes hoped the All Black selectors would pay as much heed to their Fiji match - taking account of the challenge of playing in Suva - as they did of the trial in Napier.

"There's no doubt a number of our guys are being looked at. We're giving everything to the Maori jersey, as we've always done, but maybe there's more hanging on it this time."

Te Pou said he and his All Black counterpart, Graham Henry, had been in regular contact over selection matters.

One outcome is the resting this weekend of Crusaders trio Leon MacDonald, Gear and Caleb Ralph.

The Maori team flew to Fiji yesterday, with Te Pou issuing his players a warning not to think ahead to their Lions clash.

"Fiji are building up for the All Blacks test [at North Harbour on June 10] and this is a game they'll want to win," he said.

"There are plenty of international teams who have found life pretty tough in the islands. The Aussies, French and Scots all struggle there."

Fiji's manager and fitness trainer have resigned because of financial difficulties.

- NZPA