Advertisement
The Maori All Blacks face Scotland on a jam-packed day of international rugby on Saturday 5 July 2025 at Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei, New Zealand as the invitational team looks to back up last weekend’s convincing 50-23 win over JAPAN XV, while the Scots play their first test of the mid-year window.
The last time the two sides met was in 2000, when the Maori NZ side just edged Scotland 18-15.
Maori All Blacks Head Coach Ross Filipo said his team had taken confidence from last weekend’s performance in which they ran in 8 tries, including a second half show of dominance.
“Japan tested us with fast-paced rugby in hot conditions, and I was proud of the way the team came out in that second half in particular. They made quick decisions, and you could see the cohesion get better and better as the game went on.”
With limited preparation time, they have had to quickly shift their attention to the Scots, who are currently ranked 7th in the world, he added, “We know Scotland has their own style, so we are now firmly looking forward. Scotland is physical, and the team is ready for that. We are focused on working collectively to balance our natural instincts with smart decision-making.”
The coaches have made very few changes to the team that won in Tokyo; Crusaders lock Antonio Shalfoon is set to make his debut and starts in the second row, Daniel Rona is named to start on the left wing, and Corey Evans comes into the matchday 23.
For Scotland, Stafford McDowall will captain a side without its British & Irish Lions contingent, with McDowall also previously leading the team to a win over Portugal in November 2024. He played in all five of their Six Nations matches with Sione Tuipulotu injured. The leadership group is rounded out with vice-captains George Horne, at scrum-half, and Josh Bayliss in the back row.
Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend said, “The New Zealanders, and the Maori in particular, bring a physicality and a real quality in terms of the contact area….. they've got very talented players throughout their team, in particular in the backs, where they look to express themselves.”
The Scottish side fields 18 players in the 23, with 10 caps or less, so they will be tested and earn some valuable international and touring experience. Darcy Graham, Tom Jordan, Kyle Steyn, Grant Gilchrist and tour captain Rory Darge were not selected for this match, but they have Fiji and Samoa to come.
One of the players returning to the Scotland side is Ollie Smith, who will play for Scotland for the first time since the Rugby World Cup 2023 loss to Ireland, and he starts at full-back, while Cameron Henderson makes his first appearance for Scotland since his debut against Italy in 2023.
Glasgow Warriors Adam Hastings starts at flyhalf and partners Horne - both know each other well and provide the axis at the Glasgow club, while club teammate prop Richardson will also play for the first time for Scotland, but this is an uncapped fixture. Replacements Alexander Masibaka and Fergus Burke could also have their first run-out for Scotland.
The 6-2 bench split includes a return after playing in Japan for hooker George Turner. Max Williamson and Gregor Brown are among the replacements after making their debuts against Canada on last year’s summer tour.
World Rugby confirmed Emirates Match Official Reuben Keane (Australia) had picked up an injury and would be replaced by Matt Kellahan (Australia) as Assistant Referee for this fixture and Scotland’s fixture against Fiji next week.
It should be noted that the Black Ferns play the Black Ferns XV in a trial match before the game.
Match Officials: Maori All Blacks v Scotland
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
AR1: Jordan Way (Australia)
AR2: Matt Kellahan (Australia)
TMO: Oli Kellett (Australia)
Maori All Blacks Squad
1. Jared Proffit
2. Kurt Eklund (C)
3. Kershawl Sykes-Martin
4. Antonio Shalfoon*
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere
6. Te Kamaka Howden
7. Jahrome Brown
8. Cullen Grace
9. Sam Nock
10. Rivez Reihana
11. Daniel Rona
12. Gideon Wrampling
13. Bailyn Sullivan
14. Cole Forbes
15. Zarn Sullivan
16. Jacob Deveryi
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones
18. Benet Kumeroa
19. Laghlan McWhannell
20. Caleb Delany
21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara
22. Kaleb Trask
23. Corey Evans
Scotland Squad
1. Nathan McBeth – Glasgow Warriors (2)
2. Patrick Harrison – Edinburgh Rugby (3)
3. Fin Richardson – Glasgow Warriors (uncapped)
4. Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby (2)
5. Cameron Henderson – Leicester Tigers (1)
6. Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby – Vice-Captain (10)
7. Andy Onyeama-Christie – Saracens (8)
8. Ben Muncaster – Edinburgh Rugby (2)
9. George Horne – Glasgow Warriors – Vice-Captain (36)
10. Adam Hastings – Glasgow Warriors (32)
11. Arron Reed – Sale Sharks (3)
12. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors – Captain (13)
13. Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (8)
14. Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby (3)
15. Ollie Smith – Glasgow Warriors (9)
16. George Turner – Harlequins (45)
17. Alec Hepburn – Scarlets (4)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (8)
19. Max Williamson – Glasgow Warriors (6)
20. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (9)
21. Alexander Masibaka – Montpellier (uncapped)
22. Fergus Burke – Saracens (uncapped)
23. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (12)
