Makos eye steak dinner [Nelson Mail]
The Tasman Makos will relish a return to home turf tomorrow evening , when they tackle an unpredictable Waikato side at Nelson's Trafalgar Park.
The odds are stacked in Tasman's favour, $1.30 to $3.30 head-to-head according to the TAB, and they should be licking their lips at the prospect of notching up their third ‘W' against a side with a patchy 2-2 record so far this NPC season.
The youthful Mooloo men opened with a 37-25 victory over Wellington in the capital, were thumped 58-27 at home to Canterbury, then grabbed a win and a loss when they doubled up last week. On Wednesday they went down 46-17 at home to Taranaki, then shaded North Harbour 22-16 at Albany on Saturday.
After such a demanding week, fatigue may be a factor, but Tasman will also be weary after their epic battle with Auckland at Eden Park. Home advantage though will play a part. Last year Tasman dealt to a lack-lustre Waikato outfit 64-28 at Trafalgar Park, before going on to claim the championship crown.
Unbeaten so far, the Makos battled to get their game together in miserable conditions before holding on for a 16-16 draw on Sunday. While their defensive efforts in holding Auckland to 16 points must be applauded, their inability to create more scoring opportunities of their own would be a concern.
Head coach Kieran Keane said the team were "pretty dented" after the brutal Auckland match. "It took a couple of days for us to regroup. But there was a bounce in their step again today [yesterday], so I think we'll come back OK."
"We probably didn't stretch ourselves, or stretch Auckland, to the extent that we had planned to. We were quite conservative . . . and I think that was just because it was Auckland, in Auckland, a pretty imposing team. It was the big show . . . the intensity of the fixture was a bit of a step up for us."
Keane welcomes prop Tim Perry and lock Alex Ainley back to the starting lineup this week. Ross Geldenhuys is out with a groin injury while Joe Wheeler gets some bench time and Pete Samu retains his position on the blindside flank. In the backs, Jimmy Cowan holds on to the No 9 jersey with the only change coming out wide where Robbie Malneek moves from wing to fullback, James Lowe donning the No 11 shirt.
"Waikato show a lot of danger and spark on attack," said Keane. "They have some extremely gifted attacking players throughout the backline where their strength lies. So they are going to be quite formidable for us. We see them as a big threat.
The lads from Hamilton are in a rebuilding phase, have recruited well during the off-season, and play some exciting, Makos-like, football. In first five-eighth Damian McKenzie they have one of New Zealand rugby's most prodigious rising talents. The NZ under-20 star has stood out during the early stages of Waikato's campaign, along with a talented group of backs, including livewire halfback Brad Weber, pacy wingers Joe Webber and Declan O'Donnell, NZ under-20 centre Anton Lienert-Brown, plus former Makos man, the big kicking fullback Albert Nikoro."Two premiership teams going head to head. It will be a great occasion for the Nelson locals to have their first home game with those two teams involved."
Up front Waikato may have to do without the scrummaging power of Ben Tameifuna, who goes before the judicuiary today and could be suspended over a pushing incident with referee Glen Jackson in the Harbour match.
However, in Josh Hohneck and Loni Uhila they have able front row replacements, while loosies Whetu Douglas, former All Black Marty Holah and Adam Burn are all class players.
One facet of the game Waikato don't seem to have trouble with is scoring points, averaging over 25 per outing this season. It is their defence that has been the problem, leaking in excess of 36 points per match.
Given the Makos penchant for sustained, all-out attack, the scoreboard attendants at Trafalgar Park could be in for another busy night.
Waikato: Loni Uhila, Brayden Mitchell, Josh Hohneck, Luke Katene, Jacob Skeen, Whetu Douglas, Marty Holah, Adam Burn; Brad Weber (captain), Damian McKenzie, Joe Webber, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordan Payne, Declan O'Donnell, Albert Nikoro.
Replacements: Harry Jones, James McGougan, Nick Ross, Zane Kapeli, Harrison Levien, Wharenui Hawera, Regan Ware
Tasman Makos: Tim Perry, Quentin MacDonald, Siua Halanukonuka, Tevita Cavubati, Alex Ainley, Pete Samu, Shane Christie (captain), Liam Squire; Jimmy Cowan, Marty Banks, James Lowe, Tom Marshall, Kieron Fonotia, Bryce Heem, Robbie Malneek. Replacements (from): Jesse MacDonald, Reuben Northover, Joe Wheeler, Tevita Koloamatangi, Billy Guyton, Rohan Saifoloi, David Havili.
Kick off 6.05pm.
