Makos snatch late win over Otago in pre-season rugby match
Makos midfielder Trael Joass breaks into open territory during Saturday's match against an Otago XV at Nelson's Trafalgar Park.
The Tasman Makos mended some cracks in Saturday's 31-25 pre-season rugby win over an Otago XV at Trafalgar Park but they're still in desperate need of polish.
Tasman's performance was a significant improvement on their disappointing 47-19 midweek loss to Manawatu in Palmerston North with the return of several key players ensuring a strengthened Makos lineup. But it required a solid second half fightback and a try to substitute halfback Billy Guyton right on fulltime for Tasman to finally overcome a spirited Otago challenge.
It was a satisfying response for head coach Kieran Keane after Wednesday's frustrating efforts.
"Today was 100 percent better than Wednesday in terms of attitude, everything," Keane said.
"But there are still a lot of cobwebs. Some of our Super [Rugby] boys needed that to blow some of those cobwebs away. We just need a bit more time in the saddle.
"We've got some new stuff that we're doing and that's going to take some time to bed in and that was one of two things we focused on - bedding our structures. At times it was good and we're confident that's the right way to go but we just have to imbed it."
Tasman eventually scored five tries to Otago's three and had to recover from a 13-7 halftime deficit to eventually secure the win. Given the preseason nature of the clash, Tasman turned down several kickable second half penalties in order to further test their attacking systems.
It ultimately paid off, with Tasman scoring four second half tries - two of them to energetic substitute flanker Shane Christie - after struggling with their ball security for much of the first half.
Two Peter Breen penalties and a try to fullback Tony Ensor had given Otago an early 10-0 lead before Tasman eventually fought back with a try to flanker Pete Samu in the 35th minute. A Breen penalty right on halftime gave Otago their six point advantage at the break.
Tries to winger Mitchell Scott and Christie within 11 minutes of the restart eventually gave Tasman their first lead of the match at 19-13, reduced to just one point when Otago centre Matt Faddes scored in the corner.
Christie's second try increased Tasman's lead to 24-18 before an alarming midfield break by Charlie O'Connell saw the powerful No 8 score to put Otago back in front at 25-24 with eight minutes remaining.
Tasman attacked over the dying stages, Guyton eventually seizing his opportunity to dive across from a ruck on Otago's line, Trent Renata nailing the conversion to complete the win.
Tasman had struggled for fluency during the first half as poor ball security, an aggressive Otago defence and some early-season rust combined to give the visitors a leg-up.
Also concerning for Tasman were the disconcerting number of missed first-up tackles, due mainly to individual error and execution.
"Defensively we are not anywhere near it, attitude-wise and technically," Keane said. "System-wise I think we're okay, but there were a few missed tackles and quite a few players riding tackles, so there was a lot of gain-line given. We have to adress that."
Keane was happy with Tasman's scrummaging effort but the lineout needs more work. He was also pleased with the improvement in the team's attacking structure from Wednesday, with Tasman stringing together a number of attacking phases during the second half. Still, the preseason rust was evident.
"We got the fumbles and the yips a bit and were probably just a bit impatient at times...but that'll come when the confidence comes."
Overall, Keane said that with many of his regular players returning, it was a useful starting point for the season ahead.
"It was just nice to see the boys back together and, as I say, the cobwebs needed to be blown out. Now we're back, we're under way."
There were some encouraging performances by several newcomers. Former Otago and Highlanders player Trent Renata slotted nicely into first five-eighth, before switching to fullback, with Queensland Reds Super 15 squad member Marco Kotze impressing Keane with his start at lock alongside established Mako Joe Wheeler.
"[Kotze] performed really well today, he's exactly the ilk we're looking for and he's fitted in seamlessly."
New midfielders Alex Nankivell and Trael Joass also made useful contributions, despite Joass miscueing an attempted chip kick straight into the arms of Otago fullback Tony Ensor in the lead up to Ensor's first half try. But like Nankivell, Joass was purposeful in his running, as was established centre Kieron Fonotia who made a number of telling breaks.
Tasman now head to Blenheim's Lansdowne Park on Thursday to take on Wellington in their final preseason hit-out ahead of their ITM Cup season opener against Waikato in Hamilton on Friday, August 14.
FINAL WHISTLE
Tasman Makos 31 (Shane Christie 2, Pete Samu, Mitchell Scott, Billy Guyton tries, Trent Renata 3 cons) Otago XV 25 (Tony Ensor, Matt Faddes, Charlie O'Connell tries, Peter Breen 2 pens, con, Fletcher Smith con) Ht 7-13
