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Sport Nation
Kurt Eklund to Captain Māori All Blacks for 2025 Campaign
Sport Nation • June 24th, 2025 2:30 pm
Maori All Blacks | Photo: Photosport
Ngāti Kahu hooker Kurt Eklund has been named captain of the Māori All Blacks for the 2025 campaign, with a 29-player squad named ahead of Tests against Japan XV and Scotland.
The squad includes 11 new caps and was selected by Head Coach Ross Filipo (Muaūpoko), alongside Assistant Coaches Greg Feek (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Roger Randle (Ngāti Awa).
The team will face the Japan XV in Tokyo on June 28, before hosting Scotland in Whangārei on July 5.
Filipo said Eklund’s leadership, experience and mana made him the clear choice to lead the team this year.
“This team demands a strong leader with mana, and Kurt has shown that quality and more over a long period of time, for the Māori All Blacks, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and the Blues,” Filipo said.
“He has a lot of experience throughout the squad and that will be a strength for what will be two tough matches.”
Kurt Eklund, Brad Weber & TJ Perenara during the National Anthem | Photo: Photosport
Eklund is one of several returning players in a squad that features strong provincial and Super Rugby experience across the park.
Debutants include 20-year-old Blues midfielder Xavi Taele, the youngest member of the squad, and 31-year-old prop Jared Proffit from Taranaki.
“It’s a proud moment for all the new caps and their whānau,” Filipo said.
“This is a special team, and these players know they are here to represent something bigger than themselves - their whakapapa, their language, the jersey and Aotearoa.”
The squad announcement was made in a live segment across Te Ao Māori News, All Blacks YouTube and Māori+ YouTube platforms.
It was supported by New Zealand Māori Rugby Board member Rob Clark (Waikato, Ngāti Tiipa) and Cultural Advisor Te Wehi Wright (Te Arawa, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Whitikaupeka, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa, Ngāti Raukawa).
Clark shared the values and vision that underpin the Māori All Blacks identity.
“Māori rugby is the vehicle we use to express our indigenous identity. It holds the health and wellbeing of our people at the forefront, following in the pathways that have been paved before us and those that will follow. This team allows us to express our kaupapa to the world, to inspire all people and protect the taonga that is rugby in Aotearoa,” Clark said.
The team has assembled in Tāmaki Makaurau to prepare for the campaign before flying to Japan on June 25.
Māori All Blacks squad
Props / Poumua: Benet Kumeroa (Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi, Bay of Plenty, Chiefs), Jared Proffit (Ngāti Porou, Taranaki, Chiefs), Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi, Hawke’s Bay, Hurricanes), Kershawl Sykes-Martin (Ngāti Porou, Tasman, Crusaders), Mason Tupaea (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru, Waikato, Blues)
Hookers / Waekape: Jacob Devery (Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Hawke’s Bay, Hurricanes), Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu, Bay of Plenty, Blues)
Locks / Pouwhītiki: Zach Gallagher (Te Ātiawa, Canterbury, Hurricanes), Laghlan McWhannell (Ngāti Kahungunu, Waikato, Blues), Antonio Shalfoon (Whakatōhea, Tasman, Crusaders), Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou, Hawke’s Bay, Hurricanes)
Loose Forwards / Pouwātea: Nikora Broughton (Ngārauru, Ngāti Ruanui, Bay of Plenty, Highlanders), Jahrome Brown (Ngāti Porou, Waikato, Chiefs), Caleb Delany (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Wellington, Hurricanes), Cullen Grace (Ngāti Whakaue, Canterbury, Crusaders), Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe, Manawatū, Highlanders)
Halfbacks / Poutoko: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Ngāi Tai, Ngāti Porou, Auckland), Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi, Northland, Blues)
First five-eighths / Topatahi: Rivez Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine, Northland, Crusaders), Kaleb Trask (Ngāpuhi, Bay of Plenty, Chiefs)
Midfielders / Topapū: Corey Evans (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu, Northland, Blues), Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu, Waikato, Hurricanes), Daniel Rona (Te Ātiawa, Taranaki, Chiefs), Xavi Taele (Ngāi Tahu, Auckland, Blues), Gideon Wrampling (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Waikato, Chiefs)
Outside Backs / Pouwaho: Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa, Bay of Plenty, Blues), Jonah Lowe (Ngāti Pikiao, Hawke’s Bay, Highlanders), Zarn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu, Hawke’s Bay, Blues)
Injury Cover / Kaiwhakakapi: Kade Banks (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, North Harbour, Hurricanes)
Unavailable due to injury / Te Hunga Whara: Rameka Poihipi (Ngāti Whakaue), Cameron Suafoa (Ngāpuhi), Taha Kemara (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Awa), Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whānaunga), Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Ngāti Raukawa)
