Five Bay of Plenty Steamers players have been selected in the Māori All Blacks, four of whom will take the field again tomorrow, Saturday July 5, this time facing Scotland in Whangārei.
Kaleb Trask, captain Kurt Eklund, Cole Forbes, Benet Kumeroa and Nikora Broughton joined the rest of the Māori All Blacks team on June 23 for a two-week campaign, kicking off their tour with an emphatic 53-20 victory over the Japan XV in Tokyo on June 28.
The five Bay of Plenty Steamer players selected for the 2025 Māori All Blacks. Image / Supplied.
Team captain Kurt Eklund, who also captained the Steamers in 2024, was pleased with the team’s performance.
“The boys are very skilful, and grow up playing in their backyards, so this game is second nature to them and that’s what makes this team special,” said Eklund, of Ngāti Kahu.
Captain Kurt Eklund. Photo / Supplied.
Born and raised in Auckland, Eklund plays hooker for both the Steamers and the Blues in Super Rugby.
He’s joined in the Māori All Blacks squad by outside back and fellow Steamers and Blues player Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa), who hails from Pukekohe and was raised in Tauranga.
Also named are Steamers and Chiefs players Benet Kumeroa and Kaleb Trask. Kumeroa, a prop from Te Atihaunui a Pāpārangi, was born and raised in Auckland.
Trask, a first five-eighth of Ngāpuhi descent, comes from Rotorua.
Cole Forbes. Photo / Supplied.
Rounding out the Steamers contingent is loose forward Nikora Broughton (Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Ruanui), who was born and raised in Wellington and currently represents the Highlanders in Super Rugby.
Kaleb Trask. Photo / Supplied.
Māori All Blacks assistant coach Greg Feek praised the squad’s cohesion and adaptability.
“We’ve been pleased with how the team has come together, and that was reflected in the game against the Japan XV over the weekend,” Feek said.
“The boys held up well against the heat in Tokyo and adapted well tactically to the Japan XV side, particularly in that second half where the team was more direct and really played our brand of rugby.”
Nikora Broughton. Photo / Supplied.
Feek highlighted the standout performances of the BOP players.
“Cole Forbes had a great game at fullback, he made good decisions under pressure and added real value on attack. Kurt led by example on and off the field, and as our captain this year, that’s all you can ask for.”
Benet Kumeroa. Photo / Supplied.
Looking ahead, the Māori All Blacks host Scotland at Semenoff Stadium in Whangārei on today, July 5, with kickoff at 3.35pm.
Kaleb Trask, captain Kurt Eklund, Cole Forbes and Benet Kumeroa have been named as part of the team for Saturday's game. Nikora Broughton was not named as part of Saturday’s line-up.
In the lead-up to the match, the team will hold a Captain’s Run today at Semenoff Stadium, followed by a community signing session and tree-planting event.
“We are now focused on the week ahead as we look to our game against Scotland in Whangārei on Saturday night,” Feek said.
Captain Kurt Eklund. Photo / Supplied.