Makos Tour Report
EMERGING PLAYERS TOUR REPORT
By Martyn Vercoe, Makos Team Manager
Tasman Makos Emerging Players team toured the South Island last week culminating in preseason matches against a Canterbury XV and the Otago ITM cup squad. The tour was a chance for some younger players coming out of both the Nelson and Marlborough club competitions to test themselves at the next level as well as getting some of our Makos players who will make our ITM Cup squad game time and exposure to the to our game plan in 2014
After only being together for a week or so, the first match against a Canterbury XV at Glenmark in North Canterbury was always going to be a big challenge. However with a bunch of younger players wanting to stamp their mark on our squad the team started well. As the match went on it was evident that these were too very evenly matched sides.
By halftime Tasman had edged ahead by 10 points to 5 with tries to Mike Wells and Tevita Cavubati. Tasman dominated large periods of the second half and were looking comfortable with less than ten minutes to play as they pulled out to a 22 points to 10 led. The Canterbury XV however managed to get back into the match and pip Tasman at the finished due to two late tries to their winger William Saukuru.
Overall the Tasman coaches were satisfied with the performance of their charges, especially given their relative inexperience and the time they had together prior to the match.
The Tasman Makos Emerging Players team stayed on in Canterbury in camp for a couple of days training before they travelled on to play Otago in Dunedin at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday the 2nd of August.
Although Tasman started slowly they managed to slowly gain command of the game and two tries to flanker Pete Samu, his second from a controlled forward drive right on halftime, helped Tasman to a 14-6 halftime lead. Hooker Quentin MacDonald scored Tasman's third try before Jimmy Cowan celebrated his return to New Zealand's domestic rugby scene with the team's final try with 10 minutes remaining. Otago kept in touch throughout the second half through tries to Peter Breen, former New Zealand under-20 midfielder Teihorangi Walden and centre Fa'asiu Fuatai, with a final penalty success by Tasman No 10 David Havili helping to stretch the final margin out to six points. Havili converted all four of Tasman's tries.
Overall the week away for the Tasman Makos Emerging Players was a success, without any new injuries and a host of players getting a taste of what Rugby is like at a higher level.
Canterbury Emerging Players 24 (William Saukuru 2, Seb Siataga, Richie Mo'unga tries; Broc Hooper 2 conv) Tasman Makos Emerging Players 22 (Tevita Cavubati, Mike Wells, Ben Tyler, Shawn Begg tries, David Havili conv). HT: 5-10.
Tasman Makos Emerging Players 31 (Pete Samu 2, Quentin MacDonald, Jimmy Cowan tries, David Havili 4 cons, pen) Otago 25 (Peter Breen, Tei Walden, Fa'asiu Fuatai tries, Breen 2 pens, 2 cons). HT: 14-6.
