The New Zealand Maori team has been bolstered by the inclusion of four All Blacks for their test against the USA. Elliot Dixon, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Rieko Ioane and Damian McKenzie have all been named to start in a cross-pollination exercise that benefits the All Blacks as much as it does the Maori. All four played for the Maori last year making it a comfortable decision for coach Colin Cooper to include them in the starting XV for Friday night's [Saturday 1pm NZ time] clash with the Eagles. Highlanders hooker Ash Dixon will captain a side that on paper appears to be one of the strongest the Maori have picked in some time. "He was close to being named in the squad last year but was injured so it's good to be able to give him a start.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 02, 2016 16:05 UTC