Strong Marlborough influence in the Maori All Blacks [Marl Express]

There is a strong Marlborough influence in the Maori All Blacks rugby squad named yesterday to tour Britain.

Tasman Makos and Crusaders hooker Quentin MacDonald will make his debut for the Maori, alongside good friend and former St Mary's classmate Kade Poki, who represented the Highlanders and Southland this season.

The Central clubmates will be coached by Jamie Joseph, another with strong Marlborough connections.

MacDonald's Makos team-mate, flanker Shane Christie, also capped an impressive NPC rugby campaign with selection.

MacDonald was stunned at his callup and agreed it was recognition of Tasman's improved efforts this year.

"There'll be a few more [Makos] playing Super Rugby, so for me and Shane to top it off with [selection in] the Maori team, it'll be awesome," MacDonald said. "It's great, I'm pretty stoked actually.

"I knew we were in contention, but there's a few good hookers around. It just depended on whether [Dane] Coles made the All Blacks or not, so that's good for him. It'll be great to get a chance to play for the Maori team. Awesome to play alongside Kade again. I can't wait to pull on that black jersey."

MacDonald and Poki represented the New Zealand under-20 side in 2008, the pair's last international outing.

The Maori squad leaves on November 6.