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Maori All Blacks call in injury replacements
The Maori All Blacks will take on Fiji in Suva this weekend in the first of a two match series – and already they’re dealing with a number of injuries.
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Highlanders loose forward Elliot Dixon has withdrawn from the squad whilst Hurricanes prop Ben May will also be unavailable for at least the first match of the series.
Canterbury and Crusaders flankers Billy Harmon, fresh off a title run, has joined the side to cover Dixon’s absence while a pair of inexperienced props will be tasked with filling in for May.
Haereiti Hetet (Ngati Maniapoto, Waikato) and Pouri Rakete-Stone (Ngapuhi, Hawke’s Bay), who are yet to play Super Rugby could both feature in this weekend’s encounter. Rakete-Stone has made almost 20 appearances for Hawke’s Bay while Hetet has run out for Waikato in the Mitre 10 Cup just five times.
Harmon made his debut for the Maori All Blacks in 2018, but his experience at this level pales in comparison to the 22 caps shared by Dixon and May.
Fiji coach John McPhee has already confirmed that his side will be missing some key components for the Saturday clash, but it looks like the Maori won’t necessarily be able to field their top strength team either.
Both sides should be announced later today.
World Rugby have moved quickly to ban a potentially dangerous scrummaging technique:
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