Maori All Blacks are band of brothers bound by blood - Liam Messam

Maori All Blacks star Liam Messam has issued a stern warning to the British and Irish Lions that Warren Gatland's men will face a team of warriors “bound by blood” in Rotorua on Saturday.

Messam, who has capped 43 times for New Zealand is eager to face the Lions in Maori colours this weekend.

“We’re bound by blood; we naturally come together as a group of brothers,” said Messam.

“But even so, we can’t take that for granted, so it’s about switching on together quickly and working on our plans in training.

“When you come into this environment you put away your Super Rugby colours and come together as one. The quicker we can do that we can use that to our advantage on Saturday.

“We’ll make sure when we come together on Saturday we’ll use the connections we have and our culture to bind us tightly.”

Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie will feature at No.10 in a stalwart Maori XV while Leinster-bound flyer James Lowe starting at fullback.

McKenzie's new position appears to be a direct answer to the visitors' kicking game and line speed on defence.

Rieko Ioane raced in for a try as the Blues sunk the Lions 22-16 in the second game of the tour, and will now face Warren Gatland's men in Maori colours.

The two-cap wing will be itching to show All Blacks coach Steve Hansen that he deserves inclusion in the first Test squad to face the Lions.

And Maori boss Cooper admitted he hopes he can nudge a host of his players Hansen's way, in both the short and long term.

"All these players want to represent the All Blacks, and I want to push as many of them as I can to that level," said Cooper.

"We want them to be proud of who they are and seize the opportunity to represent the Maori, and to aspire to be the best that they can, and that's to chase a chance with the All Blacks."

Asked to explain the rationale behind starting regular full-back McKenzie at fly-half, Cooper added: "It's all about style of play.

"The Lions will bring a lot of line speed, so it's the ability to create space."

You can look up match odds for this game on the net. If you’re still uncertain about who will win Saturday’s game, you can sit this one out and place a bet at any of these online gambling sites.

Maori All Blacks

James Lowe, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Matt Proctor, Charlie Ngatai, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Messam, Elliot Dixon, Akira Ioane, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Ben May, Ash Dixon (c), Kane Hames

Reserves: Hikawera Elliot, Chris Eves, Marcel Renata, Leighton Price, Kara Pryor, Bryn Hall, Ihaia West, Rob Thompson