Taranaki to provide stern test [Fairfax]
The Tasman Makos face arguably their biggest challenge of the NPC season at Trafalgar Park, Nelson, tomorrow evening.
If they are serious about reaching the premiership semifinals in their first year in the top echelon - and they undoubtedly are - they need to win their home games.
Having disposed of Hawke's Bay in Blenheim first up, and Waikato in Nelson on Friday, they have home fixtures against Taranaki, Otago and Counties-Manukau to come. While taking nothing away from the latter two sides, at this stage Taranaki appear to pose the strongest challenge.
The New Plymouth-based side sit second on the NPC table, one point behind Canterbury and two points clear of Tasman, both sides having played a game fewer than the amber and blacks. Saturday's demolition of Southland suggests Taranaki are now travelling nicely. They made a patchy start to the season, drawing their first match with Counties-Manukau, before losing to Hawke's Bay. Since then they have beaten Waikato 46-17, Bay of Plenty 41-3 and the Stags 41-19.
Comparing Tasman and Taranaki's results against Waikato suggests a tough night is in store for the Makos.
Making it even harder for the home side is the fact they will have to make do without inspirational skipper Shane Christie. He is out of contention for selection, a combination of injuries leaving the coaching staff with no choice but to give the dynamic loose forward a break. He is replaced by Tevita Koloamatangi.
"Shane's a bit banged up and we think he needs time to recover," said coach Kieran Keane. "He's carrying niggles on niggles . . . and he's put in a huge workload for the first month."
Returning to the starting lineup are lock Joe Wheeler, who will captain the side, and tighthead prop Ross Geldenhuys. Try-scoring hero Siua Halanukonuka returns to the bench, alongside Vernon Fredericks. The backline remains the same, with James Schrader replacing Rohan Saifoloi in the reserves.
Keane is understandably wary of the challenge Taranaki brings south.
"This team probably compares with Auckland in terms of size and strikepower . . . they are a true premiership team. We feel this will be a big test match for us and will indicate how far we've come - or how far we haven't come."
Taranaki coach Colin Cooper has made four changes to his starting lineup from the XV who took the field against Southland. Of special interest to Makos fans will be the selection of former Tasman utility back James Marshall at second five-eighth, replacing injured Chiefs' midfielder Charlie Ngatai. A regular this season at fullback, the Taranaki skipper will face off against his brother Tom in the 12 jersey. Taking James Marshall's position at fullback is the talented Kurt Baker, recently returned from injury.
Up front, Leighton Price replaces former Mako Riki Hoeata at lock and Doug Tietjens comes in at No 7 for Bernie Hall
