Brutal challenge, now Makos must front up again [Marl Express]
Sport mirrors life in many ways and that fact was never more clearly illustrated at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth on Saturday night where Taranaki edged out the Tasman Makos in a Ranfurly Shield thriller.
For the Taranaki camp and most of the 10,000-plus supporters there, it was utter delight mixed with a large dollop of relief that they'd successfully repelled such a ferocious challenge from a so-called minnow team.
While the Taranaki players were ecstatic at the final whistle, having prevailed 49-40, it was utter despair for the Makos.
Some, like skipper Andrew Goodman shed tears, so much does it mean to him to play for the Makos. Coach Kieran Keane couldn't bring himself to talk to me immediately after the final whistle, so devastated for his charges was he.
Next day, he spoke at Wellington Airport of his disappointment in a match he felt his team should have won.
Should have, could have, might have, all sporting cliches that mean nothing once the fulltime whistle blows because by then it's over and the result won't change.
Yes, the Makos could certainly have won and some say that not taking a couple of late penalty goal opportunities, instead opting for tap kicks, was a key factor. Perhaps, but we'll never know.
Sport is about structures and planning at this level but it's also about playing what's in front of you.
The Makos felt they had Taranaki on the ropes and that's certainly how it appeared, so they went for broke and so nearly pulled it off.
I hope people realise the effort this squad and their support staff put into this match, in fact into the season. It's massive and don't forget they have beaten Canterbury and almost pulled off the unthinkable on Saturday.
This is potentially the best Makos team since their inception in 2006.
They've got experience and grunt up front in ex-All Black Campbell Johnstone and fellow internationals Tevita Cavubati and Filipo Levi.
Crusaders team-mates Joe Wheeler and Quentin MacDonald are now seasoned forwards at this level as is flanker Shane Christie. All three have the full skill package.
A word of praise too for Tim Perry. Called in for his first start late in the week, the big loosehead prop from the Harlequins club in Blenheim was outstanding and looked like he belonged in this arena.
The backs are so dangerous with ball in hand right through the chain from Manu Samoa halfback Jeremy Su'a to mercurial fullback Robbie Malneek.
There's work to do on defence but this team deserves the public support and you can be guaranteed about one thing, they won't die wondering in any games with their refreshing attacking approach.
The Makos' tally on Saturday represented the most points scored in the 108-year history of the shield by an unsuccessful challenger.
The big test now for players and coaches is whether they can get up mentally for Manawatu on Sunday, kick on with their season and turn all that potential into a championship title?
Yarrow Stadium is a throwback to past years. It's situated in a beautiful amphitheatre and at one end is a large area of concrete terracing for people to stand. Just like there used to be at most grounds until some misguided administrators decided to rip them out and replace them with massive grandstands that you need binoculars to see the game from.
Taranaki just oozes rugby tradition. Walking under the grandstand afterwards, I saw former great Kevin (Smiley) Barrett, a very proud dad having just watched two of his sons, Beauden and Kane defend the shield just like he did. Paul Tito was there and Ian Eliason, an All Black lock, a veteran of 223 games for Taranaki and now their union president.
The Taranaki supporters and players were unanimous in their praise of the Makos performance, no comfort of course to the losing team, but certainly an acknowledgement that they had contributed to a magnificent game.
Yes, the Tasman Makos camp was devastated, but so too would Taranaki have been if the result had gone the other way.
That's sport, that's life.
