Makos won't underestimate Bay of Plenty [Marl Express]
Last season, the promoted Tasman Makos, on their way up to the NPC rugby premiership, passed the demoted Bay of Plenty Steamers on their way down. On Sunday, in Tauranga, they meet head-on.
In 2013, Bay of Plenty ran out of steam, winning just one match from 10 in the top echelon of provincial rugby. Their season was in stark contrast to the Makos', who won eight during round robin play and earned promotion in style.
As far as momentum leading into Sunday's match goes, the contrast is vivid.
Last Friday, Bay of Plenty opened their 2014 championship campaign with a disappointing 34-23 loss to Southland in Invercargill, while Tasman celebrated their rise in status with a compelling 35-15 victory over Hawke's Bay.
The Makos entertained the Lansdowne Park faithful with a lively display. Shaking off concerns about early season rust and lack of preparation, they quickly produced the sort of attacking play that made them one of the most watchable sides of the 2013 season.
The Makos possess abundant backline riches. James Lowe, David Havili, Robbie Malneek, Mitchell Scott, Bryce Heem, Kieron Fonotia, Tom Marshall, Marty Banks, Billy Guyton and Jimmy Cowan offer strike power all over the park, providing severe headaches for opposing defences.
The forwards complement their free-running outsides. Liam Squire, Tevita Koloamatangi and skipper Shane Christie may well be the best loose forward combination in the competition. Free-ranging lock Joe Wheeler and the workhorse Alex Ainley provide the horsepower in the engine room while Tim Perry, Quentin MacDonald and Ross Geldenhuys form a front row which will be hard to best. Like the backs, their licence to offload seems open-ended.
Sunday's bonus point win saw the top of the south brigade clear their first hurdle in style but, given the hectic nature of the NPC schedule, a possible stumble is never far away.
Coaches Kieran Keane and Leon MacDonald, plus the senior players in the group, will have worked hard this week on ensuring the players remain grounded.
The Steamers may have been a little short on puff recently, and are certainly in a rebuilding phase, but they are a side you dismiss at your peril, a fact Keane is well aware of.
"[Bay of Plenty] are a real danger side from my perspective.
"They've got a good scrum, good loose forwards, exciting backs. They have a lot of new faces which will be their downside, but they will bring a lot of freshness and enthusiasm. That makes them quite a dangerous animal - especially at home.
Bay of Plenty have picked up several players from outside the province this season, including loose forward Dave Davies-Whitecliff from Auckland and Canterbury halfback Jono Kitto. Best known of the Bay team are two-metre lock and skipper Culum Retallick, who has played 72 matches for the union, and Highlanders prop Kane Hames."I'm a bit wary of them. We don't want it to be a banana skin but, if we aren't on our game, it could easily turn out to be," he warned, also noting that the Steamers tipped over Hawke's Bay 35-0 in a pre-season encounter.
The only injury problem in the Makos camp concerns Koloamatangi. The blockbusting loosie took a knock on Sunday and is expected to be rested as a precaution. Fijian Nemani Nagusa and Pete Samu have been bracketed to fill his position.
The Makos head north looking for the perfect start to their season. In their path will be a Bay of Plenty outfit looking for redemption and revved up by coach Kevin Schuler.
Tasman may be $1.37 to $2.90 favourites at the TAB but, if they are to get the job done in Tauranga, they will have to be well on their game.
Tasman Makos (probable): Tim Perry, Quentin MacDonald, Ross Geldenhuys, Alex Ainley, Joe Wheeler, Nemani Nagusa or Pete Samu, Shane Christie (captain), Liam Squire; Billy Guyton, Marty Banks, Mitchell Scott, Tom Marshall, Kieron Fonotia, Bryce Heem, James Lowe. Reserves (from): Jesse MacDonald, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Tevita Cavubati, Nemani Nagusaa or Pete Samu, Vernon Fredericks, Jimmy Cowan, David Havili, Ben Tyler.
Bay of Plenty (probable): Byron McGuigan, Tino Nemani, Siaosi Iongi, Doug Edwards, Kimami Sitauti, Dan Hollinshead, Te Aihe Toma; Carl Axtens, Dave Davies-Whitecliff, Johan Bardoul, Tim Bond, Culum Retallick, Pingi Tala'pitaga, Joe Royal, Kane Hames.
Reserves: Mike Kainga, Josh Sole, Joe Tupe, Hamish Gosling, Vyron Smith, Jono Kitto.
