The Maori play in strip of all black with the difference between them and the All Black's being the addition of the words New Zealand Maori under the silver fern on their badge. History also informs us that they donned the black strip some time before the national side, which originally wore blue. The shirt has been worn by many greats in the game but a few names you should recognise are: George Nepia, Sid Going and Tane Norton, all from the past, with more recent incumbents; Callum Bruce, Liam Messam, Zinzan Brooke, Troy Flavell, Taine Randell, Carl Hayman, Christian Cullen, Rico Gear, Marty Holah, Leon MacDonald, Luke McAlister, Caleb Ralph, Bruce Reihana, Carlos Spencer and Piri Weepu all of whom have also performed at the highest level for the All Black's.
New Zealand All Blacks 2016 Kids Shirt £45.00 from Lovell Rugby |
New Zealand All Blacks 2016 Shirt £60.00 from Lovell Rugby |
New Zealand Maori is a rugby union team that traditionally played teams touring New Zealand. The definition for being eligible was that you have at least one great-great-grandparent of Maori descent. The team has it's roots in the 1888/89 side called New Zealand Natives who toured the British Isles and Ireland. The side was officially named in 1910. The New Zealand Natives introduced the Haka to the world, which was later adopted by the All Blacks and performed before their games.
The Maori do not have a home venue and play match's all around New Zealand as well as representing New Zealand in the Churchill Cup, held in Canada and the USA. The side also plays fixtures against the Pacific Islands and Asian sides. Like most Kiwi sides they have a proud record playing National'A' sides winning many more than they lose. They have won the Churchill Cup in 2004 and 2006, missing 2005 as they played and beat the touring British and Irish Lions.
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