The New Zealand Māori Rugby League are currently in negotiations to set up an exhibition between the Māori team and an Indigenous Australian team.
New Zealand Māori Rugby League Chairman, John Devonshire says, “Everyone within the NZRL whānau are excited about it and we actually tested the waters in Newcastle at the Kiwis (Kiwis vs Australia Test) game and there was a very favourable action and very positive.”
Rugby League World Cup 2017 Chief Executive Officer, Michael Brown says. “There have been preliminary discussions between a number of parties around the possibility of a game featuring a New Zealand Māori team and an Indigenous Australian team to be staged during the Rugby League World Cup 2017 tournament period with further talks to take place.”
The RLWC will be making an announcement of pool fixtures next month with venue details.
With only eight months to go before the RLWC kicks off the New Zealand Māori Rugby League committee are working hard to putting together a coaching staff team of high calibre and skills.
There are many potential candidates for the role which include former Kiwis and Warriors legend Stacey Jones, and Former Kiwi and Parramatta Eels Captain Nathan Cayless.
John Devonshire says, “Special matches require special coaches and whilst we are tūturu to the players and coaches and management that come to our tournaments on a domestic front we have had some great coaches, Daryn Piripi, Rusty Matua.”
Former New Zealand Māori Chairman, president of the New Zealand Rugby League Howie Tamati is very happy to see another match is in the pipeline.
Howie and his cousin, former Kiwis player Kevin Tamati were responsible for setting up the first match between NZ Māori and the Indigenous Dreamtime Team.
Howie Tamati says, “We meet with the International Federation and put forward a proposal that the two Indigenous peoples of both countries Australia and New Zealand be allowed to, if we couldn’t play in it, we would like to play at it (RLWC 2008) and by meaning that we would be the opening match.”
Devonshire says, “One of the attractions for me is playing another indigenous people. We have got a strong relationship. We have had a few games against the Arthur Beetson foundation, the Murri from Queensland. We have formed relationships and it brings that x-factor to the games.”
Devonshire says their mana is on the line, and the selectors will select best players available from the NRL.
John Devonshire says, “There will be a few with the likes of Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders) Curtis Rona (North Queensland Cowboys) guys like that they are playing really good and even Greg Eastwood ( Brisbane Broncos). I don’t know how much Mooks (Kiwi Coach Stephen Kearney) can choose I think it’s a squad of 25 (players) so there are going to be some left over.”