Māori All Blacks hope their journey inspires next generation

"It's not just a rugby team," is a sentiment that echoed throughout the 2026 Māori All Blacks squad.

The jersey carries more than rugby. For some players, it is a chance to represent their iwi, hapū and whānau on the world stage. For others, it is a way to reconnect with whakapapa, strengthen identity and understand more about who they are as Māori, all while playing the sport they love.

The 2026 squad was named at Ōrākei Marae this week, ahead of their match against Japan on Saturday night. Six players were named for the first time, while others returned to familiar surroundings.

Highlanders loose forward Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe), a returning squad member, said the sense of whanaungatanga amongst the group was special.

"I love coming into this team because it's not just a rugby team. It's more about our culture and where we come from and who we are as a people."

"Hopefully there's a Māori kid out there, a little Māori boy that wants to be a Māori All Black and if they can see me playing well and inspired to be like me, then I've done my job."

Howden said every time he pulls on the jersey, he is thinking beyond himself.

"If I take the field this weekend, I'm not just playing for myself. I'm playing for my iwi back home and for my people."

For first-time selection Payton Spencer (Ngāti Kahungunu, Muaūpoko), the call-up was "petty wicked." He follows in the footsteps of his father, former Blues and All Blacks first-five Carlos Spencer.

"I saw my old man first. He was stoked as. He was happy as."

He said hearing his name read out was a moment he will not forget.

"It's not often you get to represent your culture, let alone play for it," he said.

"I'll be able to pull on that Māori jersey for the first time knowing that I'm not just playing [rugby], but playing for my culture as well, playing for my family."

He hopes other rangatahi Māori see a pathway through the teams journey.

"Hopefully they want to, you know, follow in, not just mine, but all the other boys' footsteps," he said.

Fellow debutant Torian Barnes (Ngāti Whātua), who grew up in the South Island, said the week had already brought him closer to his whakapapa.

"I've learnt so much even being here for the last couple of days and I'm just real keen to keep learning and growing."

Barnes said being Māori sits at the centre of who he is.

"I think it's huge and it's a big part of who I am and the way I am, and you can see how much that flows into the team... it's been cool being around some coaches that are real good on the cultural side and the rugby side, so it's quite inspiring actually."

Hooker JJ Pokai (Ngāti Tuwharetoa) said the experience of joining the squad had already inspired him to dive deeper into his Māori identity.

"It's really special to me to deepen my connections, get into the Māori archives a bit and dig deeper with a few new faces, and just really grateful and excited to be here."

The jersey carries responsibility, he said, adding that he hopes rangatahi Māori take confidence from seeing the team.

"Dig deep into your Māori whakapapa. Get to know your whānau before you, your history."

That focus on connection is something Māori All Blacks head coach Tamati Ellison (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Wehiwehi, Ngāti Raukawa) said allows players to be who they are.

"Hopefully off the field, it feels like home, it feels natural, and they can go and play the game."

Ellison, who played for the Māori All Blacks himself, said he wants players to feel at home in the environment.

"I've been lucky enough to be brought up in tikanga Māori and whakaaro Māori and mōhio pai taku whakapapa ki roto i te ao whutupaoro. So I think that uniqueness alone, you're coaching the team that you grew up watching, you had whānau play for, so I think that's special."

"Coming here today on the marae, again, having those experiences that are ours, to be able to feel like you're coming to something that's ours is beautiful."

He said he wants the players to express themselves on and off the field.

"They all have the skill sets, often from a really young age and maybe in some professional sides they may feel a little bit restricted or a wee bit safe, and I understand that, I've been through that part, but here we really want them to back their skills and what they do well, what comes natural to them."

He also wants te reo Māori to be part of that expression.

"Kaua e whakamā, kia mau tonu, you know, to what's uniquely yours."

Ellison said carrying on the legacy of those that came before, and keeping their stories alive is a key part of being a Māori All Black.

"I think it keeps the stories alive is the main thing. We try and keep them alive. We can do it through kapa haka, but our version in sports is a team like this, and that's important."

"It's important that we pass those stories down to our tamariki. Those are gifts and things that they can protect and grow, and these boys will get a chance to tell their part of that story."

The 26-strong squad will face a Japan XV side at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya on Saturday, with kickoff at 10:05pm NZT.

Adam Lennox, Reon Paul, Tahlor Cahill, Torian Barnes and Payton Spencer will all make their debut, taking the field with the Māori jersey for the first time, Experienced midfielder Bailyn Sullivan, who debuted in 2022, will captain the side.

The named team is:

1. Ollie Norris (Ngāpuhi)

2. Tyrone Thompson (Ngaii Tāmanuhiri, Ngāti Rangiwewehi)

3. Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whanaunga)

4. Laghlan McWhannell (Ngāti Kahungunu)

5. Tahlor Cahill* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Raukawa)

6. Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe)

7. Jahrome Brown (Ngāti Porou)

8. Torian Barnes* (Ngāti Whātua)

9. Adam Lennox* (Ngāti Kūia, Ngāti Raukawa)

10. Rivez Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine)

11. Reon Paul* (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou)

12. Xavi Taele (Ngāi Tahu)

13. Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu) - captain

14. Payton Spencer* (Ngāti Kahungunu, Mūaupoko)

15. Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa)

16. Jacob Devery (Te Aitanga a Mahaki)

17. Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi)

18. Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi)

19. Caleb Delany (Ngāti Tūwharetoa)

20. Nikora Broughton (Ngārauru, Ngāti Ruanui)

21. Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi)

22. Taha Kemara (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea)

23. Kyle Brown* (Waikato)

*Denotes Māori All Blacks debut