NZ Provincial Barbarians confirm squad

The New Zealand Provincial Barbarians have extended their squad to face the Lions in their tour opener.

The final selection includes several changes from the original team announcement last month, with a number of players involved in Investec Super Rugby action.

Experienced campaigner Dwayne Sweeney comes into the midfield, alongside former All Blacks Sevens player Sam Vaka.

Sweeney has signed for Waikato in 2017 and is set to add to his 77 provincial caps already earned for the Mooloos.

“It’s great to see provincial players make the step-up to Super Rugby and put in some impressive performances,” said coach Clayton McMillan.

“While we would have loved to have them involved in our campaign we recognise they are needed elsewhere but our coaching group is confident we have selected a strong group of players who will relish this opportunity to take on the British & Irish Lions.”

The squad gathers on Saturday and travels to Whangarei on Sunday.

New Zealand Provincial Barbarians

Forwards: Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty), Tolu Fahamokioa (Wellington), Sam Anderson-Heather (Otago), Andrew Makalio (Tasman), Marcel Renata (Auckland), Oliver Jager (Canterbury), Keepa Mewett (Bay of Plenty), Joshua Goodhue (Northland), James Tucker (Waikato), Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury), Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki), Matthew Matich (Northland), Peter Rowe (Wanganui)

Backs: Jack Stratton (Canterbury), Richard Judd (Bay of Plenty), Bryn Gatland (North Harbour), Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato), Kaveinga Finau (Inga) (Canterbury), Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay), Sevu Reece (Waikato), Sam Vaka (Counties Manukau), Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau), Junior Ngaluafe (Southland)

Players unavailable due to Super Rugby commitments: Hame Haiva (Blues), Quentin Strange (Crusaders), Mitch Brown (Chiefs), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Crusaders), Jonathan Taumateine (Chiefs), Johnny Fa'auli (Chiefs).