Bailyn Sullivan has been handed the Māori All Blacks captaincy for Saturday’s Japan XV meeting in Nagoya, giving Tamati Ellison’s first match-day selection a sharp leadership thread and a clear development edge.
New Zealand Rugby confirmed Sullivan will lead the side at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, with five debutants named in the starting XV: Adam Lennox, Reon Paul, Tahlor Cahill, Torian Barnes and Payton Spencer.
The match kicks off on Saturday 27 June at 7.05pm JST, or 10.05pm NZT, and opens another chapter in a fixture that has become a useful pressure test for emerging New Zealand talent. The All Blacks’ official announcement says the Māori All Blacks have won three of their last four matches against Japan XV.
Sullivan Gets The Armband
Sullivan starts at outside centre, partnering Xavi Taele, with Rivez Reihana directing the side from fly-half and Payton Spencer named at full-back.
The forward pack has an experienced front-row base of Ollie Norris, Tyrone Thompson and Marcel Renata, while debutant Cahill starts in the second row beside Laghlan McWhannell.
- Fixture: Māori All Blacks v Japan XV
- Venue: Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya
- Kick-off: Saturday 27 June, 7.05pm JST
- Debut starters: Lennox, Paul, Cahill, Barnes, Spencer
Ellison’s first selection is more than a one-off touring call. It places Sullivan at the front of a side built to blend heritage, pace and pathway value, while Japan XV get another chance to measure their own depth against a high-tempo Māori All Blacks group.
