Royal’s Maori three peat

Experience, and a distinct knack for finding the try line, has seen Joe Royal named in the Maori All Blacks for the third successive year.

The Steamers and Rotoiti hooker was included in Colin Coopers' 2015 squad to play Fiji and the New Zealand Barbarians next week.

Bay of Plenty Steamers' hooker Joe Royal. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

'I didn't see it coming, so I am just stoked,” says Royal, of Te Arawa/Ngati Whatua o Orkei/Ngapuhi.

'I didn't think I would have made it, there are a number of other Super Rugby players, I thought would of got the call up”.

In 2013, Royal and fellow front rower Kane Hames made their Maori debuts on the Canada and United States tour, before prop Mike Kainga made his debut alongside Royal on the 2014 Japanese tour.

Royal will share the hooking duties with Highlanders Ash Dixon and Chiefs Quentin MacDonald.

Maori All Blacks coach Colin Cooper says this year's squad is an exciting mix of experienced hands and promising young talent

It includes 13 players who took part in last year's tour to Japan and three members of the successful New Zealand Under 20 team which won the recent World Championship title in Italy.

The squad will again be captained by Chiefs midfield back Charlie Ngatai.

'This is a well-balanced side with some very experienced campaigners who have now played on several tours and know our systems well. I'll be expecting them to lead by example and show the new boys the high standards we expect,” says Cooper.

'We have a proud record of success to uphold and I am sure this side will work hard to honour the great legacy of the Maori All Blacks.

There are also 10 new caps including the Ioane brothers – Akira and Reiko, Chiefs Damian McKenzie and Brad Weber.

'It is very pleasing to introduce some exciting new talent to the 2015 side. Akira Ioane has really impressed with the Blues this year and both he, Otere Black and Sean Wainui are coming off the great win for New Zealand Under 20 at the World Championship in Italy so I am sure they will want to carry on that form.

Rieko Ioane will also provide great pace out wide and he's hugely matured with the All Blacks Sevens this year despite still only being 18 years old.

'We've also seen how well Damian McKenzie has equipped himself in his first season at the Chiefs which is a huge test for any young man. He's shown incredible maturity so he along with his brother Marty who toured with us last year, will strengthen the backline.”

The 27-strong squad departs for Fiji on July 8 ahead of its clash with Fiji on July 11 and the NZ Barbarians on July 18.

Maori All Blacks squad

Forwards: Hookers: Joe Royal, Ash Dixon, Quentin MacDonald. Props: Chris Eves, Brendon Edmonds, Josh Hohneck, Ben May. Locks: Hayden Triggs, Jacob Skeen, Blade Thomson. Loose forwards: Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Mitchell Crosswell. Backs: Halfbacks: Jamison Gibson-Park, Brad Weber. First five-eighth: Damian McKenzie, Otere Black. Midfield backs: Jason Emery,Charlie Ngatai (captain), Sean Wainui. Outside backs: Kurt Baker, Rieko Ioane, Marty McKenzie, Matt Proctor, Codey Rei.

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