Makos waste scoring chances against Canterbury [Marlborough Express]

An inability to turn pressure into points in the first half did not prove costly for the Tasman Makos in round one of the 2013 NPC, but it did in Blenheim on Saturday when they were beaten 13-28 by Canterbury in round two.

Tasman scored a 25-15 win over Southland to open their campaign, despite being able to cross for only one try in a first spell where they had the Stags under pressure on numerous occasions. However, when you are unable to take your chances against the four-time defending champions of the ITM Cup's premiership division, you very rarely get off the hook.

Although they played into a healthy northerly breeze in the first half at Lansdowne Park, the Makos, playing in a cardinal red jersey to recognise the 125th anniversary of Marlborough rugby, spent plenty of time in red and black territory. For all that, though, all the home side had to show for their efforts at halftime was a 12th minute penalty to second five-eighth Andrew Symons and an 18th minute try to left wing James Lowe.

Makos head coach Kieran Keane said that for the second week running, some of his players tried to do too much on their own when they had the opposition back-peddling in the first half.

"We failed to convert our opportunities that were there in the first half, and there were a number of them, we were a bit helter-skelter, unfortunately. The ball could have done the work, but instead the man chose to try and do it on his own. I think it was due to the occasion and the heat of the battle perhaps, but we didn't take those opportunities.

"It's more about playing with our heads up and our eyes opening, seeking those opportunities. We are trying to drill that into the boys, to play what they see in front of them, but they had the blinkers on too many times in that first half and we've got to get them off."

While they missed some chances, 8-all at the break was not the worst result for Tasman. But in the second spell, they were unable to use the breeze at their backs as a more clinical Canterbury outfit took control and went about securing revenge for defeats to the Makos in 2012 and 2011.

"Turning round at 8-all, it wasn't lost," said Keane. "We were still in the fight and had the breeze, but Canterbury were much more professional in their approach and attitude.

"They got 20 points into the wind in the second half and we got five with it, so they had the conviction. We had the elements and they weren't worth anything because we got outgunned, particularly at the breakdown, and at the scrum. They deserve credit for that because they had their tails between their legs, probably, at halftime."

Tasman started well and after Symons' 30-metre penalty it was not long before Lowe had added to the two tries he scored against Southland. Impressive blindside flanker Liam Squire made the initial bust from inside Tasman's 22 and several phases later, openside flanker Shane Christie offloaded to Lowe for a straightforward finish in the north-western corner.

Canterbury almost responded immediately when centre Adam Whitelock was held up over the line and on 22 minutes a penalty from first five-eighth Tyler Bleyendaal got the visitors on the board.

Through good interplay between forwards and backs and a willingness to keep the ball in hand, the Makos remained the more prominent side. However, handling errors and penalties prevented them from extending their lead and every time they infringed, Bleyendaal was able to use the wind and thump the ball back into Tasman territory.

Against the run of play, Whitelock drew Canterbury level after 32 minutes. Symons spilled the ball close to halfway and the visitors quickly got the ball into space on the left, some slick interplay between Whitelock and winger Milford Keresoma allowing Whitelock to dive over in the corner.

Tasman had yet another chance to score as halftime loomed, but when they opted to go wide instead of keeping the ball in tight, All Black openside Matt Todd pilfered possession and the teams went into the sheds on level pegging.

The first 20 minutes of the second spell was all Canterbury, their very efficient breakdown work to the fore as they starved the home team of possession.

A sixth minute try to second five-eighth and All Black Ryan Crotty, created and converted by Bleyendaal, made it 15-8 and a second Bleyendaal penalty extended the margin to 10 points with 19 minutes to play. The Makos were not quite done and when they finally got their hands on the ball and built pressure, replacement halfback Kaide Whiting darted over from a ruck to make it 18-13 going into the final 15 minutes.

It was a brief bright moment for Tasman in the second half, though, and Bleyendaal's third penalty soon after ensured the Makos needed to score twice. Whitelock's second try with five minutes to play sealed the result, Bleyendaal slicing through some weak Tasman defence 40m out and feeding his centre, who produced a strong finish under the posts.

Makos skipper Christie was physically spent at the end of the match and said discipline and letting Canterbury dominate the ruck in the second half were factors.

"We got a bit messy. The try we scored in the second half was due to our discipline around the ruck and sticking to our structures, but when we got a bit looser, we couldn't capitalise. We knew they'd come at our ruck.

"They turned over a few in the early part of the second half and we gave away a few crucial penalties."

Canterbury captain and blindside flanker George Whitelock said his side absorbed the Tasman onslaught in the first half and agreed the wind played a significant part.

"It was far from perfect and was probably pretty ugly to watch, but I guess we wore them down . . . we were guilty in the first half of getting a bit rattled with all the other things off the ball, but we calmed down at halftime and got some things right in the second half.

"It's quite often the way when you have the wind in the first half, mentally you think the wind is going to do it for you. When you have to dig your toes into the wind in the second half, you quite often play better and that was the case today."

Todd was the standout performer in a young Canterbury pack, while the front row of Joe Moody, Ben Funnell and Nepo Laulala and locks Matt Symons and Luke Katene provided clean set piece ball. The class of All Black Andy Ellis and his replacement Willi Heinz was evident at halfback, Bleyendaal, Crotty and Adam Whitelock were all prominent and Chiefs player Patrick Osborne was a threat on the right wing.

For Tasman, Squire made several powerful runs and was a reliable source of lineout ball, while Christie toiled with typical vigour throughout. Centre Kieron Fonotia and fullback Tom Marshall were the backs who impressed most and Symons had a good first half.

Tasman's next match is against 2012 championship winners Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe on Friday night.

Scorers: Canterbury 28 (Adam Whitelock 2, Ryan Crotty tries, Tyler Bleyendaal 2 con, 3 pen) Tasman 13 (James Lowe, Kaide Whiting tries, Andrew Symons pen). Halftime: 8-all