Leicester

Danatthecorner says...

Why are people moaning about it being based on race? It's a team brought together to represent a culture more than anything else so what is wrong with that? Its a representational side that plays one off fixtures, not an international or club side that is supposed to be inclusive as governed by rules of the respective competition, laws of the game and national law. Jeez, some people want to take a day off from the carping.

@Headhunter99 - NZ Maori very rarely tour so why are you complaining? How else would you have the NZRU fund their rugby program if not through touring? Continue to keep squeezing money from their own public? I live in England and I'll be going to see a genuine rarity, a Maori team abroad. No one is forcing you to go and watch, and to complain at the mere fact a quality team is touring and another team want to provide them with a fixture suggests you aren't a supporter of rugby, rather a fan of your own club.

Posted 11:43 30th August 2012

rugby_rockstar says...

Great idea, the potential is huge and could inspire kids in England Canada and NZ but why change the NZ Maori name to the Maori All Blacks?. NZ Maori is a household name throughout the world. They are as famous as The All Blacks and Springboks. Leave it alone marketing men, the NZ Maori brand sells themselves.

As far as the leicester tigers team goes, My advice would be to wait until you see the team roster before spending your hard earned money on match tickets. Leicester have a deserved reputation for throwing out third teams for fixtures Cockeril doesn't deem to be important, see the aviva 7's and Anglo-welsh cup. Ironically they won the cup although Cockeril was probably the most shocked person out of everyone.

Posted 11:24 30th August 2012

Ferdie says...

disappointing tour imo - they tour so rarely, 3 matches only this year - would five have been impossible - great if they could have played another top side and one of the home nations, but suppose it's down to a congested calendar, UK/Euro player availabilities. will be able to front up with a strong squad, though don't expect LT to be any pushovers

Posted 11:20 30th August 2012

piriaka says...

pity it's based on race

Posted 10:38 30th August 2012

Euskadi says...

These guys have the quality and talent to be playing first tier test nations, Canada will get a hiding and Leicester wont fear much better. Would have liked them to shadow the All Blacks schedule, I'd put money on the Maori to beat Scotland, Italy and Ireland, games vs England, France and Wales would be close and entertaining. Shame that there just aren't enough windows for such matches to be played.

I'd love to see a Pacific Nations Cup played annually made up of, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Japan, Maori and Australia A or Argentina. Not sure why Maori/Jr ABs & Aus A don't always feature in the PNC surely they increase the quality of the comp and therefore lift the performances and experience of the other Pacific teams.

Posted 09:34 30th August 2012

marzie says...

"The Maori All Blacks have been an important part of New Zealand's rugby history". Jesus, ya don't say! Somewhat undercooking the chicken there methinks. Anyway, have a good time chaps. Teach the English that physicality and skills are not mutually exclusive. Like only ye can.

Posted 09:13 30th August 2012

hybrid187 says...

Awesome !!! Still think back till when they beat the B&I Lions in 05. Thats pretty much NZ 'C' (and you gotta be an 1/8 Maori so theyre even more limited to who they can pick) beating the best of 4 countries with a combined population of like 65 mil :)

Posted 08:15 30th August 2012