NZ Maoris v Ireland: Teams
Geordan Murphy is relishing skippering his country for the first time as Ireland take on New Zealand Maori in their centenary match.
Last Updated: 17/06/10 3:41pm
Geordan Murphy is relishing skippering his country for the first time as Ireland take on New Zealand Maori in their centenary match.
The full-back has won 67 caps for his country but the Rotorua clash will be the first time he has led out the national team, although the 32-year-old has captained Leicester on occasion.
He is delighted to have been handed the honour and can not wait for the action to begin.
Murphy told the Irish rugby team's official website: "It's a huge honour (to be captain), a massive one. It's one I didn't expect but I can't imagine anything that would compare.
"Obviously playing for Ireland is fantastic and leading them out will be amazing.
Special occasion
"It's a very special occasion on the weekend. We're fully aware of the Maori heritage and it's obviously 100 years since the team got together and they're a fantastic side.
"When I was a young player I would always watch the Maoris play and admire the way they throw the ball around."
An entirely changed starting XV from last Saturday's 66-28 defeat to New Zealand sees Murphy partnered with uncapped club-mate and namesake Johne in the back line.
Ed O'Donoghue, Rhys Ruddock and Chris Henry will also win their first caps as coach Declan Kidney gives a host of fringe players a chance to stake their claim for a place in next Saturday's clash with Australia.
Murphy added: "There's a few opportunities for guys who haven't had a run or maybe don't have as many caps as others. You know everyone starts somewhere.
Incentive
"Everyone needs those opportunities to put in a good performance and at the end of the day we're pulling on Ireland jerseys. You need no more incentive.
"Everyone will be up for it. We've touched on how passionate the Maori guys will be. It's up to us to bring a little bit of Irishness to it as well."
The Maori XV includes five players capped by New Zealand - captain Liam Messam, back-row colleague Tanerau Latimer, centre Luke McAlister, winger Hosea Gear and hooker Corey Flynn.
Maori coach Jamie Joseph said: "There is a great buzz around Rotorua at the moment and the team knows the whole town is behind them.
"The fact that we are about to play in the same place as the first ever game played by the New Zealand Maori rugby team 100 years ago is very special."
New Zealand Maori: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Dwayne Sweeney, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam (capt), 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Bronson Murray.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Clint Newlands, 18 Romana Graham, 19 Karl Lowe, 20 Ruki Tipuna, 21 Willie Ripia, 22 Jackson Willison.
Ireland: 15 Geordan Murphy (captain); 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Gavin Duffy, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 1 Marcus Horan, 2 John Fogarty, 3 Tom Court, 4 Ed O'Donoghue, 5 Dan Tuohy, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 7 Niall Ronan, 8 Chris Henry.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 John Hayes, 18 Donncha O'Callaghan, 19 David Wallace, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Rob Kearney.