Māori All Blacks: Difference between revisions
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'''New Zealand Māori''' is the name of a [[rugby union]] team that traditionally play teams touring [[New Zealand]]. A prerequisite for playing in this team is that the player is to be of at least 1/16th [[Māori]] descent. Unlike its [[New Zealand Māori rugby league team|league counterpart]], the rugby union team does not compete in the [[Rugby Union World Cup|World Cup]]. However, it does compete in the [[Churchill Cup]], which it won in 2004. |
'''New Zealand Māori''' is the name of a [[rugby union]] team that traditionally play teams touring [[New Zealand]]. A prerequisite for playing in this team is that the player is to be of at least 1/16th [[Māori]] descent. |
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Unlike its [[New Zealand Māori rugby league team|league counterpart]], the rugby union team does not compete in the [[Rugby Union World Cup|World Cup]]. However, it does compete in the [[Churchill Cup]], which it won in 2004. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The New Zealand Māori was the first overseas team to tour [[Britain]], as the 'New Zealand Natives', in 1888/89. They played three or four times a week for a total of 74 games, of which they won 49. The tour also visited Australia, making it the longest tour—over a year, with a total of 107 matches, of which the Natives won 78, drew 6 and lost 23. |
The New Zealand Māori was the first overseas team to tour [[Britain]], as the 'New Zealand Natives', in 1888/89. They played three or four times a week for a total of 74 games, of which they won 49. The tour also visited Australia, making it the longest tour—over a year, with a total of 107 matches, of which the Natives won 78, drew 6 and lost 23. |
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One of the New Zealand Natives' greatest legacies was the [[haka]], a traditional Māori war dance |
One of the New Zealand Natives' greatest legacies was the [[haka]], a traditional Māori war dance was later adopted by the New Zealand national team, the [[All Blacks]], as were their black shirts (previous New Zealand sides had worn navy blue). |
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Since being given official status in 1910, the New Zealand Māori have produced some of world rugby union's most outstanding athletes, including fullback [[George Nepia]] who played 46 games for the [[All Blacks]] 1924-1930, halfback Sid Going who played 86 matches for his country and former All Blacks captain Tane Norton, who represented New Zealand in 61 games, including 27 tests, and later became President of the New Zealand Rugby Union. |
Since being given official status in 1910, the New Zealand Māori have produced some of world rugby union's most outstanding athletes, including fullback [[George Nepia]] who played 46 games for the [[All Blacks]] 1924-1930, halfback Sid Going who played 86 matches for his country and former All Blacks captain Tane Norton, who represented New Zealand in 61 games, including 27 tests, and later became President of the New Zealand Rugby Union. |
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The 1926/7 touring side are cosidered the best ever Māori team. In a seven month tour which took in Australia, Ceylon, France, Wales and Canada, the side played 38 matches, winning 29, losing seven and drawing two. Full-back George Nepia was left at home after missing the boat from Wellington. |
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In 2001 the Māori first performed the "Timatanga" version of the [[haka]], which describes the evolution of life and the creation of New Zealand from the four winds. |
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The team lost only four of its 26 games played between 1994 and 2004, including beating [[England national rugby union team|England]], [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]], [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] and [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]]. The Māori continued their winning form in 2004 beating England in extra time in the final of the [[Churchill Cup]] in Canada. |
The team lost only four of its 26 games played between 1994 and 2004, including beating [[England national rugby union team|England]], [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]], [[Scotland national rugby union team|Scotland]] and [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]]. The Māori continued their winning form in 2004 beating England in extra time in the final of the [[Churchill Cup]] in Canada. |
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Revision as of 13:22, 9 June 2006
Template:National rugby team New Zealand Māori is the name of a rugby union team that traditionally play teams touring New Zealand. A prerequisite for playing in this team is that the player is to be of at least 1/16th Māori descent. In the past this rule was not strictly applied and the Māoris would pick players who could not tour South Africa due to their colour bar.
Unlike its league counterpart, the rugby union team does not compete in the World Cup. However, it does compete in the Churchill Cup, which it won in 2004.
History
The New Zealand Māori was the first overseas team to tour Britain, as the 'New Zealand Natives', in 1888/89. They played three or four times a week for a total of 74 games, of which they won 49. The tour also visited Australia, making it the longest tour—over a year, with a total of 107 matches, of which the Natives won 78, drew 6 and lost 23.
One of the New Zealand Natives' greatest legacies was the haka, a traditional Māori war dance, this was first performed during a match on 3 October against Surrey. The haka was later adopted by the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks, as were their black shirts (previous New Zealand sides had worn navy blue).
Since being given official status in 1910, the New Zealand Māori have produced some of world rugby union's most outstanding athletes, including fullback George Nepia who played 46 games for the All Blacks 1924-1930, halfback Sid Going who played 86 matches for his country and former All Blacks captain Tane Norton, who represented New Zealand in 61 games, including 27 tests, and later became President of the New Zealand Rugby Union.
The 1926/7 touring side are cosidered the best ever Māori team. In a seven month tour which took in Australia, Ceylon, France, Wales and Canada, the side played 38 matches, winning 29, losing seven and drawing two. Full-back George Nepia was left at home after missing the boat from Wellington.
In 2001 the Māori first performed the "Timatanga" version of the haka, which describes the evolution of life and the creation of New Zealand from the four winds.
The team lost only four of its 26 games played between 1994 and 2004, including beating England, Argentina, Scotland and Fiji. The Māori continued their winning form in 2004 beating England in extra time in the final of the Churchill Cup in Canada.
In 2005 the Māori beat the British and Irish Lions for the first time in an official match. Matt Te Pou is the longest serving New Zealand Maori Coach.
Current squad
Squad for the 2006 Churchill Cup:
Players who have played for New Zealand Māori
- Christian Cullen
- Rico Gear
- Carl Hayman
- Marty Holah
- Angus MacDonald
- Leon MacDonald
- Luke McAlister
- Caleb Ralph
- Bruce Reihana
- Carlos Spencer
- Piri Weepu