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‘Telling us his pepeha is cool’ - Adam Blair reflects on special week with All Stars history maker Dane Gagai

February 16, 2019

Māori All Stars captain Adam Blair has reflected on a special week and the performance of Dane Gagai, who bagged a double in the loss.

Although disappointed with the result, Māori All Stars captain Adam Blair has reflected on a special week and particularly the cultural experience enjoyed by Dane Gagai.

Gagai became the first player to represent both the Indigenous and Māori All Stars as he scored twice for the NZ side in its 34-14 loss last night in Melbourne.

Blair said Gagai, who has a Māori mother, would go down in the history books for scoring the first try ever for the Māori All Stars.

Gagai, who would make it a double, had given Blair a lift with his presence around the team.

“To be able to be in camp with him all week, even to him getting up and telling us his pepeha throughout the week is pretty cool.”

“For someone to be able to speak to a group, that he’s passionate about his mother’s side, her culture and what it means to him.”

“For him to be able to put his hand up to represent our Māori people, it gives myself a bit of a kick and to be able to hear him talk about how much he loves the Māori culture.”

Despite the result, Blair felt he and the team had done their people proud.

“It means a lot to me to be Māori, to put on the jersey and go out there and run beside people of my blood, I think I did them proud,” he said.

Both Blair and Māori All Stars coach Stacey Jones backed the new All Stars format, saying they were keen to have another crack at the Indigenous All Stars in 2020.

“It’s disappointing, the week has been more than just the game of footy,” Jones said.

“It’d be great for this team to come back, the brotherhood out on the field is very strong with both teams.”

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