15 Nov 2016

Maori All Blacks chase winning finish

1:55 pm on 15 November 2016

The Maori All Blacks have made three changes to their starting lineup in a bid to wind up their northern hemisphere tour on a winning note.

They play English club Harlequins on Thursday morning (NZ time) in London coming off a 27-14 loss to Munster in Limerick at the weekend.

The Maori All Blacks are looking for finish off their northern hemisphere tour on a winning note.

The Maori All Blacks are looking for finish off their northern hemisphere tour on a winning note. Photo: Photosport

Whetu Douglas replaces Reed Prinsep at blindside flanker, Sean Wainui comes onto the wing moving James Lowe to fullback in place of Marty McKenzie .

"We've gone for the most experienced team we can just because of the way the game is played over here," said coach Colin Cooper.

"We've had to re-programme to adjust from playing the style of rugby we play back home to better adjust to the way they play rugby up here," Cooper said.

"It's been a good learning for the players and for us as coaches. We turned up in Munster on the back of a win in the US, and we weren't ready for the style of rugby, particularly given the conditions, we faced in Munster," he said.

Cooper reflected on the tour and said the learnings would be important as they build toward the Maori All Blacks fixture against the British and Irish Lions next year.

"Knowing that the Lions will probably play a similar style, it has been a good learning curve for us, and given us a good focus for our training this week."