Eight Highlanders chosen for Maori All Blacks to face Fiji

Clayton McMillan. Photo: Getty Images
Clayton McMillan. Photo: Getty Images
Eight Highlanders have been named in the Maori All Black side to face Fiji in a home-and-away series this month.

Front rowers Ash Dixon and Tyrel Lomax, locks Tom Franklin and Pari Pari Parkinson and loose forward Elliot Dixon will lean their bulk to the pack.

Midfield pairing Teihorangi Walden and Rob Thompson will be joined by winger Jordan Hyland in the team.

Coach Clayton McMillan said the squad named was an exciting mix.

''I think we have a good balance between the experience of guys who know how to perform at this level, and those who bring an important fresh perspective and energy,'' he said.

''We also have some returning after an absence and they will bring some important knowledge into our group.

''We have named 26 players today with one more, likely to be a prop, to be added before we travel next week.''

Nathan Harris, Alex Nankivell, Jordan Hyland and former Otago player Fletcher Smith are the new caps, while Harris, Lomax, Dixon, Akira Ioane, Bryn Hall and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi have All Black experience.

The Maori All Blacks will play Fiji in Suva on July 13 before returning to New Zealand to host Fiji in Rotorua on July 20.

Maori All Blacks

To face Fiji

Forwards: Ash Dixon, Nathan Harris, Tyrel Lomax, Ben May, Marcel Renata, Ross Wright, Tom Franklin, Pari Pari Parkinson, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Mitchell Karpik, Reed Prinsep.

Backs: Bryn Hall, Jonathan Ruru, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Fletcher Smith, Alex Nankivell, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Jordan Hyland, Shaun Stevenson, Sean Wainui.

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