The Maori All Blacks have called on a veteran New Zealand playmaker to lead the charge against Ireland in Wellington on Tuesday.
TJ Perenara will skipper the formidable team after being included as one of six new faces in the starting XV for the second midweek tour match against the tourists in Wellington.
Clayton McMillan surprised by overhauling a backline which was impressive when the teams met in Ireland’s tour opener in Hamilton on 29 June, when the Maori side won 32-17.
Four changes to the back division includes a promotion from the bench of 78-Test-capped veteran Perenara to start at halfback in place of fellow-All Black Brad Weber, who will be on the bench.
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McMillan has introduced a new midfield of Bailyn Sullivan and Alex Nankivell and has handed a Maori All Blacks debut to fullback Josh Moorby, omitting Zarn Sullivan, who scored one of the team’s four tries in Hamilton.
Moorby is among nine players from the Hurricanes in the match-day 23. The Maori All Blacks boast an enviable record against international opposition, having won 80 of 126 matches, including both their meetings with Ireland.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell is expected to again name a second-string side for the match, saving his best team for the series-deciding third Test against New Zealand in Wellington four days later.
Maori All Blacks – 15 Josh Moorby, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Connor Garden-Bachop, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 TJ Perenara (c), 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Isaia Walker-Leawere, 4 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Ollie Norris.
Subs: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Max Hicks, 20 Caleb Delany, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Ruben Love, 23 Billy Proctor.
© Agence France-Presse
