Touring Maori lack specialist halfback

The touring Maori team have been left without a back-up specialist halfback for tomorrow's match against the Canadian All Stars in Ottawa.

Taranaki's Brendan Haami will start the game in the No 9 jersey and coach Matt Te Pou is depending on Highlanders fullback/first five-eighth Willie Walker to assume the halfback's role if Haami can't finish the game for any reason.

The other halfback in the team, Auckland's David Gibson, rolled an ankle in their 65-27 win over the All Stars on Sunday.

Gibson is regarded as the team's No 1 halfback and Te Pou is hoping he will recover in time for the second match against the All Stars this weekend.

"I've asked for a halfback from home. We'll see what happens, but I've got Willie there for the next game."

Te Pou is bringing on the 11 players who did not start against the All Stars into tomorrow's run-on side.

"They knew before we even left New Zealand that all 26 in the squad would get a run in the first two games."

The only players backing up from last Sunday are winger Shayne Austin, centre Rico Gear, No 8 Ron Cribb and lock and captain Paul Tito.

Auckland first five-eighths James Arlidge will be making his Maori debut from fullback.

Maori team: James Arlidge, Shayne Austin, Rico Gear, Justin Wilson, Bryce Robins, Glen Jackson, Brendan Haami, Ron Cribb, Wayne McEntee, Paul Tito (capt), Warren Smith, Wayne Ormond, Deacon Manu, Scott Linklater, Greg Feek. Res: Christian Cullen, Norm Berryman, Willie Walker, Christian Ormsby, Troy Flavell, Joe McDonnell, Slade McFarland.

- NZPA