Tanerau Latimer's disappointment at missing out on the All Blacks was tempered slightly by the quality of rugby he's about to be playing.

Colin Bourke's career, meanwhile, hit another high as he joined Latimer in the New Zealand Maori squad named yesterday.

Though coming into the Jamie Joseph-coached Maori side from different directions, the Bay of Plenty and Chiefs loose forwards were united in their excitement of what lies ahead in the next month.

"They've got a really good programme against two international teams so the level will be pretty high," Latimer said. "With Jamie coming back and coaching, it's seen as a true high-performance team. He's not one to take it lightly and there's a lot of talk around already and a lot of excitement building."

New Zealand Maori play the New Zealand Barbarians in Whangarei on June 12, Ireland in Rotorua on June 18 and England in Napier on June 23, amid the team's centenary celebrations.

Five-test All Black Latimer turned out for Rangiuru in the Baywide second division on Saturday, his first hit-out after a disappointing performance by the Chiefs in the Super 14. While his own standards remained high, the 24-year-old was tainted by the performance of the whole team.

"They said I tapered away a bit at the end of the Super 14, which was probably true. The standards slipped when we got to that three-quarter mark and hope was fading of making the semis. It was really disappointing to end the season like that but I'm really looking forward to getting into the Maori environment, which is always really positive."

Bourke, meanwhile, was the benefactor of one of the biggest disappointments at the Chiefs. With Sione Lauaki embroiled in a cloud of controversy, Bourke got to spend most of the season in the No 8 jersey.

The 25-year-old's elevation capped several superb provincial seasons for Bay of Plenty in recent years and ticked off his major ambition for 2010.

"I sat down at the start of the year and set some goals - the first was to do well in Super 14 and get some decent game time and that happened, and I thought I'd set a realistic goal and try to make the Maori side," Bourke admitted.

"I was stoked to have my name pulled out of the hat and I'm really looking forward to getting out there on the international stage and getting a bit more exposure."

Bourke qualifies through his mum, who was Ngati Wairere from Hamilton. Appropriately, the Tainui hapu's former marae was on the site Waikato Stadium now stands on.

Joseph cast his net wide for his first 26-man squad, picking 12 players new to the Maori side, two of whom have not figured in this year's Super 14 in Manawatu halfback Aaron Smith and Wellington lock Daniel Ramsay.

Another four - Highlanders utility back Robbie Robinson and Chiefs trio Romana Graham, Jarrad Hoeata and Ben Afeaki - played at Super 14 level for the first time this season.

Experience is offered by Canterbury hooker Corey Flynn and Wellington wing Hosea Gear. Flynn first played for New Zealand Maori in 2002 and led them to Churchill Cup success in 2004.

The captaincy has gone to Waikato loose forward Liam Messam, who was a co-captain when they won the Pacific Nations Cup in 2008, while former All Black lock Isaac Ross is also  in the side.

New Zealand Maori:
Backs: Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Jarrad Hoeata (Taranaki), Sean Maitland (Canterbury), Luke McAlister (North Harbour), Willie Ripia (Taranaki), Robbie Robinson (Southland), Aaron Smith (Manawatu), Chris Smylie (North Harbour), Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato), Andre Taylor (Manawatu), Jackson Willison (Waikato).
Forwards: Ben Afeaki (North Harbour), Colin Bourke (Bay of Plenty), Dane Coles (Wellington), Jacob Ellison (Wellington), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Romana Graham (Waikato), Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty), Karl Lowe (Hawke's Bay), Liam Messam (Waikato, captain), Bronson Murray (Northland), Clint Newland (Hawke's Bay), Daniel Ramsey (Wellington), Isaac Ross (Canterbury), Hayden Triggs (Otago).