Marko the Mako says....
The last week has been magic for the team, both as individuals and collectively.
For two of our players, Shane Christie and Liam Squire, being invited to join the All Blacks training camp and play in a Bledisloe Cup warm up match was the chance of a lifetime. And they made quite an impression.
Said the NZ Herald, “Liam Squire was a standout in the first-half at blindside flanker. The Tasman and Chiefs No 8 showcased a keen work-rate and set-up two tries with well-timed offloads in traffic on opposite sides of the field. Squire's Tasman loose-forward partner Shane Christie also impressed after replacing Cane.”
And while these two were doing their thing in front of the All Black selectors, the Makos squad played a pre-season against Manawatu last Thursday evening.
The evening turned on some weather that only a mako like myself would really enjoy. What was meant to be a dry track to tune up our attacking plays turned into a pitch suitable for close quarter rugby.
The Manawatu lads came at us strong and hard at the breakdown and the tackle and built a lead of 14 nil. However the Makos weathered the storm (excuse the pun) and fought back to tie up the match 14 – all through tries to Tom Marshall & Shawn Begg and a conversion each to Mike Wells & David Havili.
It has to be said that despite the conditions the Makos tried to play rugby while Manawatu had a more defensive mind-set. The coaches would have certainly drawn valuable knowledge from the hit-out.
On Sunday morning the players hosted the Makos Family Funday at Trafalgar Park. It was a gloriously sunny day and a huge number of families turned out to meet and greet the Makos, take part in a Fun Run and watch the kids take part in the SBS Bank CanKick competition.
Marko Petterson of Nelson JAB won the Under 10’s comp and Wil Thornalley of Marist JAB won the Under 13’s comp.
All in all it was a terrific day out and about with the community.
Now the season proper gets underway with our first match against Hawkes Bay in Blenheim this Sunday. Gates open at 12 noon, there will be some age group rugby and then the 2013 Final replay at 2.35pm.
The weather forecast is for a bright, sunny day so I look forward to seeing you all there.
Fins Up, Marko
