As far as unexpected bedfellows go, China teaming up with New Zealand's Bay of Plenty rugby union is one of the more unusual combinations you might come across. What's resulted is a Global Rapid Rugby team stacked with Kiwi players.
Blues and Auckland loose forward Akira Ioane has been named in the NZ M?ori squad following his omission from the All Blacks 51-man end-of-year touring squad.