Canada’s 2012 campaign comes to a close in Oxford on Friday against the mighty Maori from New Zealand. Typically approaching a virtual second string national side in strength, this year’s vintage isn’t quite as powerful, but still features four All Blacks in towering second row Jason Eaton, captain Tanerau Latimer, and reserves Hika Elliot and Jarrad Hoeata. The rest of the team is composed of a mixture of Super Rugby regulars and fringe players, all full time professionals.

After losing their opening tour match to perennial English premiership challengers Leicester Tigers, the Maori got back on the winning track against the RFU Championship XV in Doncaster on Saturday, looking impressive and scoring eight tries in the process. Their counter attack, a traditional strength of New Zealand, is particularly lethal and they looked willing and capable of scoring from anywhere on the park. Their centres are good footballers and the wingers, the Taranaki duo of Andre Taylor and Kurt Baker, are lethal finishers. They will be worth keeping an eye on.

The Canadians redeemed themselves last week with a good showing against Russia, and will be confident heading into the match which should act as a good barometer for many of the players. This is a significant step up in competition and for some this will be the biggest challenge of their careers in terms of calibre of opposition.

The Canucks’ only tests against the Maori were in 2003, one in Calgary and a second in Toronto. They lost both but competed fairly well against the likes of All Blacks greats Christian Cullen and Carl Hayman. Fullback James Pritchard, winning his 47th cap, is the only remaining player from those games and though this is a completely different Maori squad, he will no doubt have some words for his side about the nature of the battle at hand.

Kieran Crowley has made four changes to the lineup that started against Russia, including one forward swap as Hubert Buydens returns at loosehead to join fellow World Cup front rankers Ryan Hamilton and Jason Marshall. Connor Braid continues at flyhalf after replacing an injured Harry Jones last week, while Phil Mackenzie returns from injury to reclaim the 12 jersey. Sevens stalwart Phil Mack earns just his second start in the full version, and has his fellow University of Victoria club mates Nathan Hirayama and Sean Duke on the bench for support. Plymouth Albion lock Brett Beukeboom, a former Vike himself, is named in the reserves for the first time this tour.

While the Maori present themselves as formidable foes, the Canadians should approach the match with no fear, as an upset is certainly not out of the realms of possibility. In terms of fitness, pedigree, and ball handling the New Zealanders no doubt have the edge, but they have not been particularly combative up front, and have shown weaknesses in defence. Canada needs to get points on the board early, secure their own set piece ball, and turn the game into a bit of a dog fight. If they can do that, they are in with a shout. The most likely outcome is a tough match until the final quarter, when the fitness of the Maori will begin to show and gaps open to stretch a lead to around 15 points. At the end of the day, however, it will be the confidence of the Canadians that decides whether or not we are treated to the unlikely.

CANADA
James Pritchard; Jeff Hassler, Ciaran Hearn, Phil Mackenzie, Taylor Paris; Connor Braid, Phil Mack; Hubert Buydens, Ryan Hamilton, Jason Marshall; Jebb Sinclair, Tyler Hotson; Tyler Ardron, Chauncey O’Toole, Aaron Carpenter (capt.). RES: Ray Barkwill, Doug Wooldridge, Andrew Tiedemann, Brett Beukeboom, John Moonlight, Eric Wilson, Nathan Hirayama, Sean Duke.

NZ MAORI
Trent Renata; Kurt Baker, Charlie Ngatai, Tim Bateman, Andre Taylor; Willie Ripia, Frae Wilson; Bronson Murray, Quentin MacDonald, Ben May; Jason Eaton, Romana Graham; Shane Christie, Tanerau Latimer (capt.), Elliot Dixon. RES: Hika Elliott, Jacob Ellison, Ben Afeaki, Jarrad Hoeata, Nick Crosswell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jackson Willison, Declan O’Donnell.

EDIT NOTE: Canada played the Maori in 2007, losing a non-cap international 59-23 in England, and the RCSL All-Stars also had a game against them, going down 52-11 in Ottawa in 2003.