Makos named to play Harbour / Match Preview [Nelson Mail]
The Tasman Makos' brief is now perfectly clear.
Beat North Harbour in tomorrow's final round-robin clash of the national provincial championship at Trafalgar Park and Tasman will host a home semifinal.
Tasman's vital win over Counties Manukau in Pukekohe on Tuesday solved the first part of the equation, with Tasman already assured of a place in the semifinals.
But Otago's 24-19 loss to Auckland last night in Dunedin has left the door wide open for Tasman to secure a home semifinal, provided they can get past a winless North Harbour tomorrow night.
Tasman are in third place, two points adrift of Otago and five behind Championship leaders Counties, with Counties away to fourth-placed Northland in their final round-robin clash.
Tasman are still an outside chance of finishing top of the Championship table, provided Tasman can secure a bonus point victory and hope that Northland beat Counties while also denying them any bonus points.
However, that's out of Tasman's control, with their sole focus now simply on beating a North Harbour team yet to record a win in this year's competition and with only one match remaining to achieve it.
Tasman will head into tomorrow's contest with five changes from the team that started against Counties as coaches Kieran Keane and Leon MacDonald look to rest some battered bodies ahead of the playoffs.
Lock Filipo Levi and tighthead prop Campbell Johnstone weren't even considered for selection due to injury, Johnstone needing another two weeks to rehabilitate his troublesome calf muscle.
It means another start for Riki Hoeata alongside Joe Wheeler in the middle row of Tasman's scrum, with Sam Prattley also back in the front row.
Flanker Shane Christie has also earned a well-deserved breather and will start off the bench, with the live-wire Gary Redmond wearing the No 7 jersey tomorrow.
There are two changes in the backs, with Steve Alfeld replacing Jeremy Su'a at halfback and Albert Nikoro selected on the right wing ahead of Peter Betham, who also starts off the bench.
"We've got some tired boys," Keane said. "We're in the semifinals, so we've got to think towards the semifinals. Obviously we're looking to win, but we also need to be mindful of the workload of our players.
"Some of our players have done exceptionally well, but they're starting to develop niggles and form's been affected."
Keane also acknowledged that North Harbour's desperation and likely nothing-to-lose approach made them a genuine threat, irrespective of their lamentable season record.
And with potentially lethal backs like Nafi Tuitavake and former All Black Rudi Wulf in the mix, North Harbour clearly have the firepower to end their season on a positive note.
They've also got size and power up front, prop and captain Ben Afeaki and Blues lock Filo Paulo providing key experience.
"We think this is a banana skin, this game," Keane said. "[North Harbour have] had an off season, they're probably in a different mindset and want it to be all over. But at the same time, they're going to throw caution to the wind which will make them very dangerous, if it all comes off."
He said that plenty of vocal support would help Tasman's cause.
"A good crowd and good support goes a long way on these occasions, and it helps break down the opposition too."
Tasman: 1. Tim Perry, 2. Quentin MacDonald , 3. Sam Prattley, 4. Riki Hoeata, 5. Joe Wheeler, 6. Tevita Koloamatangi, 7. Gary Redmond, 8. Jordan Taufua, 9. Steve Alfeld, 10. Hayden Cripps, 11. Robbie Malneek, 12. Andrew Goodman (captain), 13. Kieron Fonotia, 14. Albert Nikoro, 15. Tom Marshall
Subs:16. Francis Smith, 17. Reuben Northover, 18. Tevita Cavubati, 19. Shane Christie, 20. Jeremy Su’a, 21. Peter Betham, 22. James Lowe
REFEREE: Mike Fraser
