Ellison names first Māori All Blacks squad blending experience and new talent

Kua whakaingoatia e te kaiako hou o Te Kapa Māori, a Tamati Ellison i tana kapa tuatahi hei kaiako, me te aha, he kapa e noho tahi ana ngā tautōhito wheako rau me ngā tauhou whakahihiko o te tau tākaro 2026.

New Māori All Blacks Head Coach Tamati Ellison (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Whakaue) has named his first squad in charge of the team, selecting a blend of experienced campaigners, returning Māori All Blacks and exciting new talent for the 2026 season.

Tokoono ngā kaitākaro hou nō roto mai i te 26, ko tētahi o ērā ko te hau o Ngāti Whātua e wawara mai ana, ko Torian Barnes o te kapa Blues, kua roa e kōrerotia ana i te whakataetae Sky Super Rugby Pacific. Ko Adam Lenox o Ngāti Kūia, o Ngāti Raukawa nō te kapa Highlanders anō hoki tētahi kua whakaingoatia ki te kapa Māori mō te wā tuatahi hei mihi i te pai o tana tākaro i te tau nei.

The 26-strong squad features six uncapped players, including highly rated young talent such as Torian Barnes (Ngāti Whātua) and Payton Spencer (Ngāti Kahungunu, Muaūpoko), who have impressed throughout the DHL Super Rugby Pacific season for the Blues, alongside Adam Lennox (Ngāti Kūia, Ngāti Raukawa), who earns his first Māori All Blacks selection after a great season with the Highlanders.

Hei tā Ellison, tētahi o ngā kaiako ō mua o te kapa Ō Pango, he tino hōnore te whiriwhiri i tana Kapa Māori tuatahi, he mana nui hoki i tana hāpai ake i ngā tukuihotanga o te kapa nei.

Ellison, who previously served as an Assistant Coach with the All Blacks, said selecting his first Māori All Blacks squad was a privilege and a responsibility to continue the legacy of the jersey.

“This is a special team with a unique purpose. The Māori All Blacks jersey carries a lot of history, and every player who puts it on becomes part of that story.

“We wanted to recognise the players who have represented this team before and understand what it means to wear this jersey, while also creating opportunities for the next group coming through.”

Tērā hoki ētahi o ngā tautōhito o te Kapa Māori kua hoki mai ki te kaupapa. Ko Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whanaunga) tētahi, ko Taha Kemara (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea), ko Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Awa) anō hoki.

The squad includes a number of players returning to the Māori All Blacks environment, including 2024 representatives Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whānaunga), Taha Kemara (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea) and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Awa).

Hei tā Ellison, ko te taura here tangata o te Kapa Māori ka mau tonu whai muri i te tangi o te whio.

Ellison said the connection created by representing the Māori All Blacks lasts beyond the final whistle.

“Once you have worn this jersey, you are always part of this team. That connection stays with you, and having players return who understand the expectations, the culture and the responsibility of representing Māori rugby is really special.”

Ka nui hoki te hikaka o te ngākau ki ngā tauhou o te tau nei.

The six uncapped players are an exciting addition to the 2026 campaign.

“These players have earned their opportunity. They have shown the qualities we look for in Māori All Blacks players, not just through their rugby, but through who they are and what they represent.

“They are joining a group with a strong foundation, and we are excited to see them bring their own energy and identity into the team.”

Ellison has represented the Māori All Blacks as a player, bringing his own understanding of the pride and responsibility attached to the jersey.

Ko te Kapa Māori mō tēnei tau ko:
The 2026 Māori All Blacks squad is:

Props:
Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)
Ollie Norris (Ngāpuhi/Waikato/Chiefs)
Jared Proffit (Ngāti Porou/Taranaki/Chiefs)
Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi/Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whānaunga/Northland/Blues)

Hookers:
Jacob Devery (Te Aitanga a Mahaki/Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes)
JJ Pokai* (Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Taranaki/Chiefs)
Tyrone Thompson (Ngāi Tāmanuhiri and Ngāti Rangiwewehi/Hawke’s Bay/Chiefs)

Locks:
Tahlor Cahill* (Ngāpuhi/Canterbury/Crusaders)
Caleb Delany (Ngāti Tūwharetoa/Wellington/Hurricanes) 
Laghlan McWhannell (Ngāti Kahungunu/Waikato/Blues)

Loose forwards:
Torian Barnes* (Ngāti Whātua/Canterbury/Blues)
Jahrome Brown (Ngāti Porou/Waikato/Chiefs)
Nikora Broughton (Ngārauru, Ngāti Ruanui/Bay of Plenty/Highlanders)
Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe/Manawatū/Highlanders)

Halfbacks:
Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi, Northland, Blues)
Adam Lennox* (Ngāti Kūia, Ngāti Raukawa/Taranaki/Highlanders)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)

First five-eighths:
Taha Kemara (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea/Waikato/Crusaders)
Rivez Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine/Northland/Crusaders)

Midfield:
Kyle Brown* (Waikato/Manawatū/Chiefs)
Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu/Hawke’s Bay/Hurricanes) 
Xavi Taele (Ngāi Tahu/Auckland/Blues)

Outside backs:
Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa/Bay of Plenty/Blues)
Reon Paul* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou/Bay of Plenty/Chiefs)
Payton Spencer* (Ngāti Kahungunu, Muaūpoko/Auckland/Blues)

*denotes potential debut in 2026

The following players have been invited to train with the team: Nui Muriwai (Ngāti Hauā, Taranaki, Ngāpuhi), Mason Tupaea (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru, Waikato) and Allan Craig (Ngāti Ranginui).

Kāore ēnei kaitākaro i whakaingoatia, he wharanga nō rātou: Kurt Eklund, Zarn Sullivan, Corey Evans, Daniel Rona, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Kershawl Sykes-Martin and Jonah Lowe.

The following players were not considered due to injury: Kurt Eklund, Zarn Sullivan, Corey Evans, Daniel Rona, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Kershawl Sykes-Martin and Jonah Lowe.
Ellison is joined by assistant coaches Greg Feek (Kahungunu) and Marty Bourke (Tainui). 

Hei tā te mema Poari Whutupōro Māori (Ngāti Wairere, Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Pākehā), ehara i te mea ko te whutupōro noa iho te kaupapa o tēnei kapa. Ko tā rātou he whakakanohi i ō rātou kāwai whakapapa, i ō rātou whānau, ō rātou hapori me ngā whakareanga Māori haere ake nei.

Māori Rugby Board (MRB) member and Chair of the Rugby Subcommittee Arran Pene (Ngāti Wairere, Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Pākehā) says the Māori All Blacks represent more than just rugby, they represent whakapapa, whānau, communities and the generations of Māori players who have worn the jersey.

“As we look to the future under the whakataukī ‘Ara mai he tētēkura’, we are focused on nurturing the growth and potential of Māori rugby, creating opportunities for our players, celebrating who they are as Māori, and continuing to make a meaningful contribution to rugby here in Aotearoa and around the world.

“The Māori All Blacks jersey comes with a great responsibility. It is a privilege to represent your whānau, your iwi and the wider Māori rugby community. On behalf of the Māori Rugby Board, I want to congratulate all the players selected and acknowledge the support of everyone who has helped them reach this point.”

I whakaingoatia te kapa Māori ki Takaparawhau, ki ngā whenua ō Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei i te Mane, te 22 o Hune i mua i tā te kapa rere atu ki Hapani a te Wenerei te 24 o Hune.

The Māori All Blacks squad was announced at the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Marae in Auckland on Monday 22 June ahead of the team flying to Japan on Wednesday 24 June.