Bound by Blood: The Māori All Blacks' Journey of Heritage and Unity

Māori rugby's unique place in the world game has been highlighted in a four-part documentary series, Māori All Blacks: Bound by Blood.

The series is being screened on Whakaata Māori and streamed on NZR+ and focuses on the preparation and matches of the Māori All Blacks two-match series in Japan earlier this year under new coach Ross Filipo.

That preparation was completed under the shadow of the death of Connor Garden-Bachop, a Māori All Black.

Filipo said he looked forward to working with many of his chosen players, especially All Blacks prop Joe Moody, who was available after a 10-year absence.

"I wanted to share his knowledge and lead in any way he sees is the right way."

Moody said the Māori All Blacks had one of the best team environments he played in, especially with its concentration on whakapapa and heritage.

Former All Black captain Wayne Shelford said his memories of the Māori All Blacks was that he was 'forever laughing'.

"One of the things about the Māori environment is that it is very Māori in regard to the way they jest all the time; there's a lot of kōrero and a lot of people taking the mickey out of each other. That's what makes Māori rugby special.

 

"Even the way we played the game, it was totally different to the All Blacks because it's more play what you see, freer."

Another former Māori All Black Rua Tipoki said playing for the Māori All Blacks, you could feel the connection to the past.

"The Māori team is an examplar of our athletic prowess, our ability to come together as one and counter and overcome significant challenges."

Tipoki said some players had not grown up experiencing their Māoritanga, and it was a huge experience coming into the Māori All Blacks team because it exposed them to that, and they went home to their whanau, which was significant.

Stream Māori All Blacks: Bound by Blood for free on NZR+.

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