Big week for Makos Maori All Blacks [Fairfax]
What was a big week for Tasman Makos' players Shane Christie, Joe Wheeler, Liam Squire and James Lowe got even bigger yesterday when they were named in the New Zealand Maori squad to play two matches against Japan in November.
The Makos are busy in Nelson preparing for their ITM Cup Premiership final against Taranaki on Saturday night but for the four Maori reps the season won't end in New Plymouth. They will go on to play Japan the following Saturday, November 1, in Kobe followed by a second match against the same opposition in Tokyo on November 8.
For Wheeler, it's the second year running he has made the Maori team, after being informed of his Maori heritage only midway through the Makos' season last year. He qualifies through Ngai Tahu heritage from his maternal grandmother and said it's an honour to represent such a proud team.
The selection comes as good reward for Wheeler after a season in which he has been a standout playing for both the Highlanders in Super Rugby and the Makos in the ITM Cup.
The big lock has been nursing an ankle injury through the later stages of the Tasman season and with such a short turn around before the Maori games it's not likely to get any rest in the coming weeks.
Christie, who skippers the Makos from open-side flank position, was named vice-captain of the Maori squad with Taranaki's Charlie Ngatai captain.
Lowe and Squire, both Chiefs players in Super rugby, have been particularly effective attacking weapons for the Makos this year, at wing and No 8 respectively. Lowe is one of 11 new caps in the 27 strong squad. Squire makes his second appearance in the Maori team after touring North America with them last year.
Wheeler is one of only two specialist locks in the squad, along with Highlander teammate Tom Franklin. However Taranaki and Hurricanes loose forward Blade Thompson has experience in the position.
Thompson is joined by five Taranaki teammates meaning both Saturday's finalists are well represented, combined making up 10 of the 27 players in the Colin Cooper coached Maori team.
The tour was originally scheduled for three matche, but a game against the Tana Umaga coached Asia Pacific Dragons in Singapore was cancelled yesterday amid concerns over the playing surface and player safety.
