Malneek to start on Tasman Makos' wing against Manawatu
Robbie Malneek, right, will make his 96th appearance for Tasman against Manawatu on Thursday.
Robbie Malneek moves another step closer to becoming the first Tasman Makos player to play 100 games for the province when he lines up against Manawatu for Thursday's national provincial championship rugby match in Blenheim.
Used predominantly at fullback or wing throughout his lengthy career, Malneek will be taking the field at Lansdowne Park for the 96th time in a Makos' jersey as a replacement for Monty Ioane on the right wing.
Malneek's one of only three changes to the starting lineup from last Friday's 34-13 second round win over Bay of Plenty in Nelson and will provide valuable pace against a Manawatu side that dished out a hefty 47-19 hiding to the Makos in their pre-season clash in Palmerston North.
Also back is lock Alex Ainley who replaces his Highlanders' team-mate Joe Wheeler to join Queensland Reds import Marco Kotze in the second row. Siua Halanukonuka also earns a start at tighthead prop in place of Ross Geldenhuys who takes his place on the bench.
Wheeler's non-selection is health related due to a leg infection although it appears that he'll still be given every opportunity to declare his fitness before kick-off.
"Joe suffered a septicemia during the week and we are unsure as to how he will pull up," Keane said.
"He's pretty sick at the moment, but we have still got some time and we will revisit [his availability] at the latest juncture."
He said the front row selection was "based around form and performance - as is the change on the wings".
Tasman now has some genuine pace out wide with Mitchell Scott retaining the No 11 jersey after scoring one of Tasman's four tries against Bay of Plenty. The midfield of David Havili and in-form centre Kieron Fonotia predictably continue their partnership as Tasman looks to generate more of their trademark attack.
Tasman's bench also marks a significant return for loose forward Vernon Fredericks who has spent much of the season recovering from an operation to remove a cyst from his brain earlier in the year.
Midfielder Trael Joass takes his place on the bench after resting a shoulder niggle last Friday and former Junior Warriors league star Viliami Lolohea provides cover on the wing after playing a part, including a try, in the Tasman Griffins' 54-24 pre-season win over Canterbury Country in Murchison last Saturday.
While no-one is reading anything into Tasman's heavy pre-season loss to Manawatu, the visitors clearly pose a genuine threat as they attempt to make an impact after earning promotion from last year's NPC Championship. Although they've suffered two losses in the opening two rounds, they've displayed plenty of fight and character in a losing cause.
"We are expecting a pretty tenacious opponent," Keane said.
"They have got some real livewires in their backline and a feisty forward pack who don't lay down for anybody. In both their previous games they came back from the death so they have got a bit of heart in their team.
"They will be up for the fight, there's no doubt about it".
Tasman also have some patchy recent form in Blenheim at the back of their minds, notably last season's loss to Counties-Manukau - one of only three losses suffered by Tasman all season.
"We have mentioned that fact as well. A lot of that is around the mental side of the game and also around preparation. It's just about being professional.
"The ground is still 70 metres wide and 100 metres long, generally in Nelson and Marlborough it's fine and firm, so there should be no reason for that, other than the mental side of the game...which has been highlighted."
FACT BOX
MAKOS v TURBOS
WHERE: Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
WHEN: Thursday, 7.35pm
REFEREE: Glen Jackson (Bay of Plenty)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 8, Tasman 6 wins, Manawatu 2 wins
LAST MATCH: Tasman 57 Manawatu 14, October 13, 2013 at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park
TAB ODDS: Tasman $1.20, Manawatu $4.20
TASMAN MAKOS: Trent Renata, Robbie Malneek, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Mitchell Scott, Marty Banks, Billy Guyton; Liam Squire, Shane Christie, Pete Samu, Alex Ainley, Marco Kotze, Suia Halnukonuka, Quentin MacDonald, Tim Perry. Reserves: Jesse MacDonald, Ross Geldenhuys, Jake Stafford-Wood, Jeff Lepa, Vernon Fredericks; Jimmy Cowan, Trael Joass, Viliami Lolohea.
MANAWATU TURBOS (from): Hamiora Thomas, Semisi Masirewa, Curtis Ambrose, Nathan Tudreu, Jaxon Tagavaitau, Jason Emery, Sam Malcom, Hamish Northcott, Otere Black, Kayne Hammington, Jamie Booth, Antonio Kiri Kiri, Callum Gibbins, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Mark Atkins, Valentino Mapapalangi, Tom Parsons, Fraser Stone, Michael Alaalatoa, Adrian Barone, Fraser Armstrong, Tim Cadwallader, Rob Foreman, Nick Grogan
