The way the Highlanders pack has been playing, there is perhaps no surprise five forwards made the cut.
Brendon Edmonds, Josh Hohneck, Shane Christie and Elliot and Ash Dixon were all picked, while Kurt Baker and Jason Emery are the lone backs from the Super rugby finalist.
Hohneck (29) is one of 10 new caps named yesterday in the 27-strong squad to be coached by Colin Cooper.
He and fellow Highlanders prop Edmonds started against the Waratahs in last weekend's semifinal win in Sydney, impressing against a monster pack.
Elliot Dixon has arguably been the form flanker in this year's competition.
His work rate has been off the charts, compiling 159 tackles in 18 appearances, the most of any Highlander, and 18 more than Liam Coltman.
Ash Dixon has also played in all 18 games this season, doing a solid job off the bench.
While Christie has had another injury-plagued season, the selectors have given him the benefit of the doubt.
The flanker made his first appearance of the season off the bench in last weekend's match, but played well in the white-hot atmosphere of a semifinal.
Baker is another player who has had limited opportunities but still made the side.
He has played just 47 minutes over three matches.
Fellow midfielder Emery has been solid without doing anything special in his 13 appearances this year.
Captained by Chiefs midfielder Charlie Ngatai, the team also includes impressive Blues and NZ under-20 forward Akira Ioane.
Ioane was near unstoppable in helping the Junior All Blacks win back the under-20 world title in Italy last month.
His rapid rise up the ranks is no surprise, and it would not be far fetched to think he will be representing the All Blacks this time next year.
His brother, Rieko, is also in the squad.
The team includes 13 players who took part in last year's tour of Japan, and Cooper expects the experienced players to set a high standard.
''This is a well-balanced side with some very experienced campaigners who have now played on several tours and know our systems,'' he said.
''We have a proud record of success to uphold and I am sure this side will work hard to honour the great legacy of the Maori All Blacks.''
The team's match against the New Zealand Barbarians at Eden Park on July 18 will be the first time it has played in New Zealand since 2010.
The side leaves for Fiji next Wednesday.
Maori All Blacks
To play Fiji, NZ Barbarians
Forwards: Joe Royal, Ash Dixon, Quentin MacDonald, Chris Eves, Brendon Edmonds, Josh Hohneck, Ben May, Hayden Triggs, Jacob Skeen, Blade Thomson, Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Mitchell Crosswell.
Backs: Jamison Gibson-Park, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Otere Black, Jason Emery, Charlie Ngatai (captain), Sean Wainui, Kurt Baker, Rieko Ioane, Marty McKenzie, Matt Proctor, Codey Rei.
Matches
July 11: v Fiji, Suva, 3pm
July 18: v NZ Barbarians, Eden Park, 7.35pm.
