Tasman go for tried and true in opener [Fairfax]
As a season-opening match-up, tomorrow's National Provincial Championship rugby clash between the Tasman Makos and Hawke's Bay Magpies is brimming with significance.
Many of the players involved won't have to cast their minds back too far to recall last year's championship final in Nelson when Tasman held on under mounting late pressure to beat the Magpies 26-25 to earn promotion to this year's premiership.
Tomorrow heralds the start of a demanding ITM Cup season for Tasman - and Hawke's Bay's immediate presence won't make the challenge any easier. After last year's stellar efforts, Tasman have lost any of their surprise factor with every opponent now fully conversant with their attacking style of play.
Tasman at least have the luxury of calling on the bulk of last season's winning combination and coaches Kieran Keane and Leon MacDonald have chosen a powerful Makos team for tomorrow's clash, selecting a side containing all 10 of their Super Rugby players.
The forwards are predictable, with Highlanders flanker Shane Christie joined by the Chiefs duo of Liam Squire and Tevita Koloamatangi in the starting loose forward trio. Captain Christie and Squire will be making their first starts for Tasman this year as their participation at the recent All Blacks training camp - where both impressed - precluded any involvement with the Makos' pre-season campaign.
Highlanders lock Joe Wheeler also returns for his first Makos start of the season and joins Alex Ainley in an experienced second row combination. New tighthead prop Ross Geldenhuys packs down with established hooker Quentin MacDonald and loosehead prop Tim Perry in a solid front row.
However, there are a couple of surprises among the backs.
Marty Banks has recovered from a knee injury to be named in the No 10 jersey while James Lowe will fill the fullback berth, as he did in last year's final. Makos veteran Robbie Malneek is out of the mix, his place in the reserves taken by rising star David Havili, while Billy Guyton gets the nod at halfback ahead of former All Black Jimmy Cowan.
Keane explained the reasoning behind his selections.
"Billy is the incumbent. We've got a new man who has come into the region and is learning our game, our structures," Keane said.
"It just made sense to me to have the incumbent starting. Jimmy has the ability to close out games as well, there are some real plusses there for us.
"Early in the season we feel a little bit underdone, so it's better to go with the familiar."We made a conscious effort to go with the people who played in the [2013] final. It's probably more about familiarity at this stage, people who know how each other plays, rather than injecting new blood.
"It makes life a little bit easier for the players and takes away some of the clutter that exists at the moment."
But Hawke's Bay aren't short of talent and experience either. Keane travelled north to check them out in their final build-up match last weekend and was impressed by what he saw.
"They've got plenty of players with Super rugby experience, threats all over the park as usual and a very big pack. We're going to be tested and it's going to be a tough one," he said.
All the Bay backline, except livewire wing Mikey Vuicakau, have played Super rugby, with Robbie Fruean debuting for his new province at centre.
Halves Chris Eaton and Ihaia West were key figures in the 2013 championship final, West in particular a handful for any defence and a superb goalkicker.
Up front, Hawke's Bay's success has been based on a forward pack of hard workers rather than big names.
Skipper Brendon O'Connor, at openside flanker, enjoyed a top season with the Blues and epitomises their hard-nosed approach, as does No 8 Gareth Evans, a standout for the Highlanders.
Keane suggested that the Makos-Magpies rematch at this stage of the season was, "almost like we are going again".
"It's a great derby, isn't it? It's like we haven't had a summer in between. It will be a great occasion for both teams."
MATCH FACTS
TASMAN v HAWKE'S BAY
Where: Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
When: Tomorrow, 2.35pm
Referee: Glen Jackson (BOP)
Head-To-Head: Played 7 (2007-2013), Tasman 5 wins, Hawke's Bay 2 wins
Last Match: Tasman 26 Hawke's Bay 25, Trafalgar Park, Nelson, October 25, 2013 (Championship final)
Last Hawke's Bay Win: Hawke's Bay 28 Tasman 26, August 28, 2009 in Napier
Biggest Tasman Score: 26 (26-28), August 28, 2009 in Napier and (26-25), October 25, 2013 in Nelson
Biggest Hawke's Bay Score: 41 (41-6), August 23, 2008 in Blenheim
Biggest Differential: Hawke's Bay by 35 (41-6), August 23, 2008 in Blenheim TAB Odds (head-to-head): Tasman $1.45, Hawke's Bay $2.60
Tasman Makos: Tim Perry, Quentin MacDonald, Ross Geldenhuys, Alex Ainley, Joe Wheeler, Tevita Koloamatangi, Shane Christie (captain), Liam Squire; Billy Guyton, Marty Banks, Mitchell Scott, Tom Marshall, Kieron Fonotia, Bryce Heem, James Lowe.
Reserves: Jesse MacDonald, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Tevita Cavubati, Vernon Fredericks, Jimmy Cowan, David Havili, Ben Tyler.
Hawke's Bay: Brendon Edmonds, Ash Dixon, Jason Marshall, Mike Allardice, Mark Abbott, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Brendon O'Connor (captain), Gareth Evans; Chris Eaton, Ihaia West, Mikey Vuicakau, Andrew Horrell, Robbie Fruean, Richard Buckman, Ryan Tongia.
Reserves: Ged Robinson, Adrian Barone, Tom Parsons, Tony Lamborn, Ellery Wilson, Jason Shoemark, Matt Berquist.
- The Nelson Mail
