Blues loose forward Akira Ioane, overlooked for New Zealand's end-of-season tour, has been given something of an international reprieve after being selected for the Maori All Blacks squad for their trip to the Americas.
Ioane, whose younger brother Reiko has established himself on the left wing for the All Blacks, has been on the fringes of selection for the world champions for the last three seasons but was left out of an extended 51-man squad named yesterday.
The 23-year-old, whose size, speed and ball handling made him a standout in rugby sevens, has been involved in several wider All Blacks training groups and went on their end-of-season tour last year, playing a non-test match.
Concerns that he had not improved in key areas saw him miss out this time around, however.
Ioane's availability came as a pleasant surprise for Maori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan.
"We didn't really anticipate Akira being involved with us," he told reporters in Auckland today.
"He's been a part of the All Blacks environment for the last 12-18 months. We make a few assumptions fairly early on, on who might be available to us and we obviously got that one wrong.
"We're all well aware of his strengths and we'll welcome him into our fold with open arms."
McMillan added that Ioane might now be expected to take more of an active leadership role in the Maori squad for next month's matches against the United States, Brazil and Chile.
"But equally we want him to express himself, play well and put himself back in the picture for the All Blacks."
McMillan was also able to call on winger Nehe Milner-Skudder, loose forward Jackson Hemopo, who has been named as a lock, scrumhalf Bryn Hall, centre Matt Proctor and prop Tyrel Lomax for the tour.
All five are part of the extended All Blacks squad in Japan, but will link up with the Maori group in South America for their second match against Brazil in Sao Paulo on November 10, missing only the game against the United States in Chicago on November 3.
They end their tour against Chile on the outskirts of Santiago on November 17.
FULL SQUAD
The Maori All Blacks squad (with Iwi/tribe and Province) for the tour is (*denotes uncapped):
FORWARDS
Front Row
Chris Eves (Waikato / Tainui North) - Harbour
Tyrel Lomax (Ngai Tuhoe / Muaupoko) - Tasman
Ben May (Ngati Maniapoto / Waikato) - Hawke’s Bay
Marcel Renata (Ngati Whanaunga / Ngai Takoto) - Auckland
Ross Wright (Ngati Whatua / Ngati Porou) - Northland
Hookers
Robbie Abel * (Ngati Wai, Waikato-Tainui, Ngati Hine) - Auckland
Ash Dixon (C) (Ngati Tahinga) - Hawke’s Bay
Locks
Jackson Hemopo (Tuhourangi / Ngati Wahiao / Ngai Tahu / Ngati Rangi / Ngati Apa ki te Ra To) - Manawatu
Pari Pari Parkinson * (Te Whanau a Apanui) - Tasman
Isaia Walker-Leawere * (Ngati Porou) - Wellington
Loose Forwards
Billy Harmon * (Ngai Tahu) - Canterbury
Akira Ioane (Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui) - Auckland
Mitchell Karpik * (Rongomaiwahine / Ngati Kahungunu) - Bay of Plenty
Hoani Matenga * (Rangitane / Te Whanau a Apanui) - Bay of Plenty
Reed Prinsep (Te Rarawa) - Canterbury
BACKS
Halfbacks
Bryn Hall (Ngati Ranginui) North Harbour
Jonathan Ruru (Ngati Kahungunu / Rongomaiwahine) - Auckland
Brad Weber (Ngati Porou) - Hawke’s Bay
First five-eighths
Otere Black (Ngai Tuhoe / Te Whanau a Apanui / Ngati Tuwharetoa) - Manawatu
Joshua Ioane* (Te Rarawa) - Otago
Midfield backs
Matthew Lansdown* (Te Atiawa) - Waikato
Matt Proctor (Ngai Te Rangi / Ngapuhi) - Wellington
Rob Thompson (Ngati Kahungunu / Nga Rauru) - Manawatu
Teihorangi Walden (Te Atiawa) - Taranaki
Outside backs
Jonah Lowe* (Ngati Pikiao) - Hawke’s Bay
Nehe Milner-Skudder (Ngati Porou / Tapuika) - Manawatu
Shaun Stevenson (Ngapuhi) - North Harbour
Travelling as a replacement for the USA leg only is Canterbury wing Caleb Makene, of Ngapuhi descent.
- Squad list from All Blacks.com