Makos win pre-season trial in Otago
The Tasman Makos beat Otago comfortably on the scoreboard 42-22 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin yesterday but there's plenty of work to do, assistant coach Leon MacDonald said.
The match was completely different from last week's frolic in the mud at Kaikoura, conditions being conducive to running rugby.
Despite the comfortable final scoreline in favour of the Makos, Otago tested them up front and out wide with some enterprising play.
The only downside for the visitors was a hand injury, possibly a broken bone, suffered by openside flanker Gary Redmond.
Up until his injury, the hard-working loosie had turned in an eye-catching performance.
MacDonald was hoping the injury wasn't too bad but expected to lose him for three to four weeks if the break was confirmed.
The Makos scored six tries and their performance as expected varied depending on who was on the field.
The set pieces worked well for the most part, the scrum particularly effective when former All Blacks prop Campbell Johnstone anchored it.
Vernon Fredericks was another to impress with a storming display with ball in hand, continuing the improvement since he came back from a serious shoulder injury suffered playing in England during the off-season.
Defence was a key area MacDonald identified to work on. He wasn't happy Otago got a couple of soft tries and felt the intensity in that area needed attention.
At times the Makos looked good, building pressure and one try came at the end of 15 phases.
MacDonald said the good thing was they were tested out wide and up front, identifying areas they need to improve on.
Waratahs wing Peter Betham scored his first try for the Makos while at first five, Hayden Cripps carried on from his good display against a Canterbury XV with another assured performance, guiding his team around the park.
Skipper Andrew Goodman turned in an assured performance at second five-eighth.
MacDonald said the squad and coaches will roll their sleeves up this week and work hard preparing for Saturday's final pre-season hit-out against West Coast at Murchison.
Scorers: Tasman Makos 42 (Peter Betham, Mitchell Scott, Vernon Fredericks, Tevita Cavubati, Jeremy Sua, Quentin MacDonald tries, Andrew Goodman 6 con) Otago 22 (Tony Ensor 2, Scott Manson tries, Hayden Parker 2 con, pen).
