Five Highlanders, including one new cap, have been named in the New Zealand Maori squad for the Pacific Nations Cup tournament.
Hawkes Bay prop Clint Newland will make his debut for the Maori side after impressing as a draft player in his first Super 14 campaign.
He is joined by fellow Highlanders Keith Cameron (prop), Glen Horton (fullback) and Hayden Triggs (lock), who made their Maori debuts against Canada last year, and lock Hoani MacDonald, who has not played for the team since 2004.
Southland midfield back Jason Kawau keeps his place in the side, as do former Otago backs Callum Bruce and Chris Smylie.
A feature of the squad is the selection of Wellington utility back Tamati Ellison and Waikato loose forward Liam Messam as co-captains.
The new caps are Canterbury midfield back Tim Bateman, Taranaki lock Jason Eaton, Canterbury utility back Stephen Brett, Hawkes Bay hooker Hikawera Elliot and Wellington prop Jacob Ellison.
New Zealand Maori is contesting the Pacific competition for the first time this year, replacing the Junior All Blacks.
It is a chance for the likes of Eaton, Brett, Hurricanes halfback Piri Weepu and Blues flanker Daniel Braid to play their way into All Black contention.
The Maori side plays five games, starting with Tonga in Auckland on Saturday.
Other fixtures follow against Fiji in Lautoka on June 14, Samoa in Hamilton on June 21, Japan in Napier on June 28 and Australia A in Sydney on July 6.
Coach Donny Stevenson said the Pacific Nations Cup provided a new and exciting challenge for his team.
"This year will be the first time in a while that we will play five matches on consecutive weekends and that will be a huge test for the team" Stevenson said.
"Our Pacific island rivals are very passionate about their rugby, Japan continue to improve on the international stage and we know Australia A will be a tough team in Sydney."
New Zealand Maori Squad for the Pacific Nations Cup
Backs: Glen Horton (Otago), Shannon Paku (Wellington), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Jason Kawau (Southland), Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato), Tamati Ellison (Wellington), Tim Bateman (Canterbury), Callum Bruce (Waikato), Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Piri Weepu (Wellington), Chris Smylie (North Harbour).
Forwards: Thomas Waldrom (Wellington), Daniel Braid (Auckland, captain), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Liam Messam (Waikato), Hoani MacDonald (Southland), Hayden Triggs (Manawatu), Ross Filipo (Wellington), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Jacob Ellison (Wellington), Clint Newland (Hawkes Bay), Ben May (Tasman), Keith Cameron (Otago), Aled de Malmanche (Waikato), Hikawera Elliot (Hawkes Bay).
