New Zealand Māori (Rugby Union)
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| Association |
New Zealand Rugby Football Union |
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| Trainer |
 Donny Stevenson
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First international match Ireland 4:13 New Zealand Māori (as New Zealand Natives) (December 1, 1888) |
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Biggest win United States 6:74 New Zealand Māori (June 7, 2006) |
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Biggest defeat New Zealand Māori 6:31 Australia (23 September 1936)  |
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New Zealand Māori is a New Zealand rugby union team that traditionally plays against national teams visiting New Zealand . Abroad, the team only took part in the Churchill Cup until 2007 in order not to compete with their own national team (the All Blacks ). The New Zealand Māori have won this tournament twice (2004, 2006). The NZ Māori have not participated in the Churchill Cup since 2008, as they replaced the Junior All blacks in the Pacific Nations Cup, which they won immediately when they participated for the first time.
In order to be accepted into the team, a player must be at least 1/16 Moral, i.e. H. at least one great-great-grandparent must be proven to have been a Māori . In the past, this rule has not always been strictly applied, as players were also included who were not allowed to play for the national team due to apartheid regulations in South Africa .
history
In 1888/89 the New Zealand Natives were the first rugby team from a British colony to play games in Great Britain . Actually, the team should only have been composed of Māori, but then four Pākehā (New Zealanders of European descent) were added to the squad. The team, made up of 26 players, played 107 games during their tour; she won 78 times, lost 23 times and drew 6 times.
The most significant contribution the New Zealand Natives made to New Zealand rugby culture was dancing a haka before the game started. This traditional Māori ritual dance was first performed on October 3, 1888, before the game against a selection from Surrey . Both the haka and the black clothing were later adopted by the All Blacks (the national team played in navy blue in the early years).
In 1910, the New Zealand Māori received official status from the association. The selection of the year 1926/27 is considered to be the best Māori team of all time. She played 38 times during a seven month tour of Australia, Europe and Canada. The Māori have won 29 games, lost seven times and drew twice. George Nepia , who was considered to be one of the best players in the world at the time, had to stay at home after missing the ship in Wellington .
Between 1994 and 2004, the New Zealand Māori lost only four of their 26 games. They won against England , Argentina , Scotland and Fiji, among others . In 2004 she also won the Churchill Cup in Canada for the first time .
In 2005, the New Zealand Māori beat the British and Irish Lions for the first time in an official game. Because of the preparation for this game, they had to forego participating in the Churchill Cup. In 2006 they took part again and won the tournament for the second time.
In 2008, the team took part in the Pacific Nations Cup , replacing the Junior All Blacks . Undefeated they won the tournament in the end with a victory in the decisive away game against Australia A, the reserve of the Australian national team.
Known players
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Web links
- Uncovering the Maori mystery - BBC report