New Zealand Maori Team announced

The New Zealand Maori Selectors announced the following team to compete in the 2004 Pacific Cup. In alphabetical order: Player Name - District League/Origin Sam Andrews - Waicoa Bay Kurt Cawdron - Auckland Taite Daniels - Northland Teteira Davis - Wellington Willy Henare - Auckland Aoterangi Herangi - Auckland Charlie Herekotukutuku - Canterbury Nathan Hohaia - Taranaki Shane Hoskin - Taranaki Odell Manuel - Auckland Tukua Matthews - Waicoa Bay Vern Moana-Mason - Waicoa Bay Glen Rota - Auckland Peter Prime - Northland Kererua Savage - Hawkes Bay Barry Tawera - Waicoa Bay Sonny Whakarau - Manawatu Mike Whakatihi - Manawatu Vince Whare - Canterbury Coach: Tawera Nikau Asst Coach / Trainer: Terry Hermansson Business Manager: John Devonshire Football Manager / Strapper: Mel Rutene The selected team is a great spread from around the country, with all players having made at least one appearance in the NZ National Competition, the Bartercard Cup. Sonny Whakarau and Odell Manuel, two former professional Rugby League players will certainly bring experience to the team along with two former Maori Kiwi's, Tawera Nikau and Terry Hermansson in the coaching roles. The Pacific Cup Tournament will be played between North Harbour Stadium and Ericsson Stadium No.2 in Auckland from Sunday 17 - Saturday 23 October 2004. At present, NZ Maori, Fiji, Samoa, New Caledonia, Tonga and the Cook Islands will all be taking part in the tournament.