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Apisai, Prinsep among new caps in Maori All Blacks

Seven Hurricanes named in Maori All Blacks

Hurricanes hooker Leni Apisai and new loose forward Reed Prinsep are among six new caps and seven Hurricanes named in the 2016 Maori All Blacks squad.

Apisai and Prinsep have been named alongside five members of the 2016 Investec Super Rugby championship winning Hurricanes squad in Otere Black, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Ben May and Matt Proctor.

The Maori All Blacks will play three tests next month against the United States Eagles, Munster and Harlequins.

M?ori All Blacks Head Coach Colin Cooper (Ng?ti P?kenga/Ng?ti Porou) congratulated all those selected.

"This is an exciting time for all those involved in this special team.

"We're delighted with the squad we have announced today - we think there's an incredible mix of experience and very wise heads, and a special crop of new talent that has been exciting to watch in action in Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup.

"This team continues to be an important opportunity for players looking to push for higher honours.

"We are particularly delighted for Rieko Ioane who was named for the first time with the All Blacks on Sunday - and he joins several M?ori All Blacks who have earned a call up to the All Blacks in recent years - Nehe Milner Skudder, Codie Taylor, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Joe Moody, Brad Weber, Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire, Damian McKenzie and last year's skipper Charlie Ngatai currently unavailable due to concussion."

Ash Dixon will take over from Charlie Ngatai in the captain's role.

"We continue to work closely with the All Blacks coaches to ensure that we are aligned and these selections demonstrate the strength of the M?ori All Blacks as a high performance team."

"It's also good that both teams are in Chicago and the United Kingdom at the same time, so that we can retain that alignment," Cooper said.

"We are looking forward to heading to Chicago to play the USA Eagles.  Playing any national side is an honour, and they're a team that's really cementing their place in international rugby."

"Our matches against Munster and Harlequins will also be very special as we love taking the M?ori All Blacks' style of rugby to other countries."

Five players still involved in Mitre 10 Cup Finals will join the squad in Auckland after their matches this weekend.

M?ori All Blacks 2016 Match schedule:

Friday 4 November v USA Eagles, Toyota Park, Chicago

Friday 11 November v Munster, Thomond Park, Limerick

Wednesday 16 November v Harlequins, Twickenham Stoop, London

The 2016 Maori All Blacks squad is (*denotes new cap):

Player, Province, Whakapapa

Leni Apisai *, Wellington, Ngati Awa

Tim Bateman, Canterbury, Ngai Tahu

Otere Black, Manawatu, Ngai Tuhoe / Te Whanau a Apanui / Ngati Tuwharetoa

Shane Christie, Tasman, Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi / Ngati Kurawhatia

Ash Dixon, Captain, Hawkes Bay, Ngati Tahinga

Whetu Douglas *, Waikato, Ngati Porou / Ngati Whakaue

Jason Emery, Manawatu, Ngati Haua / Ngati Maniapoto

Chris Eves, Manawatu, Waikato / Tainui

Tom Franklin, Otago, Ngati Maniapoto

Billy Guyton *, Tasman, Ngapuhi / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Raukawa

Kane Hames, Tasman, Ngai Tuhoe / Ngati Porou

Akira Ioane, Auckland, Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui

Mike Kainga, Taranaki, Ngati Kahungunu

James Lowe, Tasman, Ngapuhi / Ngai Te Rangi

Ben May, Hawkes Bay, Ngati Maniapoto

Marty McKenzie, Taranaki, Ngati Tuwharetoa / Ngati Tahinga

Leighton Price *, Taranaki, Waikato / Ngati Maniapoto

Reed Prinsep *, Canterbury, Te Rarawa

Matt Proctor, Wellington, Ngai Te Rangi / Ngapuhi

Kara Pryor *, Northland, Ngati Awa / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Rangitihi

Marcel Renata, Auckland, Ngati Whanaunga / Te Aupouri

Joe Royal, Bay of Plenty, Te Arawa / Ngati Whatua o Orakei / Ngapuhi

Jacob Skeen, Waikato, Ngapuhi

Sean Wainui, Taranaki, Ngai Tuhoe / Te Aitanga a Mahaki / Nga Arikikaiputahi / Ngati Porou

Brad Weber, Hawkes Bay, Ngati Porou

Ihaia West, Hawkes Bay, Ngati Kahungunu / Ngati Porou

One to be added.

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