Maori All Blacks coach Colin Cooper has named an experienced 27-man group bristling with attacking talent for the Lions' fifth tour match, at Rotorua on June 17, that also includes Charlie Ngatai and Nehe Milner-Skudder.
Chiefs back Ngatai - who has played once for the All Blacks - has ongoing concussion concerns. He spent a year on the sideline because of the symptoms and he experienced headaches again after finally returning to the field last month.
All Blacks 2015 World Cup star Milner-Skudder missed most of last year with a shoulder problem and has been sidelined for much of 2017 with a foot complaint, before recently returning to the fray with the Hurricanes.
Cooper must put together a backline that features that pair, along with Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie, an unlucky omission from the All Blacks squad.
Intriguingly, in-form Chiefs winger James Lowe is listed as a midfield back.
Dixon leads a squad boasting ample Super Rugby experience.
Veteran loose forward Liam Messam is the senior figure in a forward pack that includes three-test flanker Elliot Dixon.
There are just three newcomers to the Maori jersey - halfbacks Bryn Hall (Crusaders) and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Hurricanes) and midfield back Rob Thompson (Highlanders)
Cooper said the magnitude of the match was huge and representing Maoridom meant they are never short of motivation.
"Knowing the ground will be full for the match, and getting a feel for the support that's coming from the Rotorua community in hosting us, along with the rest of New Zealand around the series and the match itself is exciting," Cooper said.
These two sides last met in 2005, when the Maori side won a fierce contest 19-13 in Hamilton.
SQUAD
Backs: Damian McKenzie, Nehe Milner-Skudder, James Lowe, Declan O'Donnell, Charlie Ngatai, Matt Proctor, Rob Thompson, Tim Bateman, Ihaia West, Otere Black, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Bryn Hall.
Forwards: Akira Ioane, Elliot Dixon, Liam Messam, Kara Pryor, Reed Prinseep, Tom Franklin, Joe Wheeler, Leighton Price, Kane Hames, Ben May, Mike Kainga, Marcel Renata, Chris Eves, Ash Dixon (captain), Hikawera Elliot.
* Tawera Kerr Barlow and Rieko Ioane will also join the squad from the All Blacks.