Fonotia set to play his 50th game against North Harbour
Tasman centre Kieron Fonotia, pictured here in last week's win over Wellington, will play his 50th game for the Makos on Wednesday.
Tasman Makos centre Kieron Fonotia will be praying that his 50th game for the province is more successful than his first.
Fonotia will become the ninth player, along with Robbie Malneek, Jonathan Poff, Mark Bright, Andrew Goodman, Joe Wheeler, Quentin MacDonald, Alex Ainley and Shane Christie, to achieve 50 national provincial championship rugby games in Tasman's colours when he steps out against North Harbour at Trafalgar Park on Wednesday. But after making his debut in a 19-9 loss to Northland in Whangarei four seasons ago, the strapping midfielder is hoping for a much more memorable milestone in front of his home crowd.
That won't be easy. Harbour have justifiably earned something of a spoiler's reputation against Tasman over the years. In their six previous meetings, Tasman have won just once - a 19-15 success in Albany six long years ago. The worst result came in 2012 when bottom-placed Harbour, without a win to their name, arrived in Nelson apparently ripe for the plucking. Instead, they headed back north after a shock 42-10 win.
There are six changes, some of them positional, to Tasman's lineup from the successful Wellington clash.
Fonotia will have a new midfield partner for his milestone appearance, Alex Nankivell slotting in at No 12, with David Havili moving back to fullback. Trent Renata also starts at No 10 ahead of Marty Banks and Jimmy Cowan is promoted to starting halfback ahead of Billy Guyton.
There are changes to the loose forward trio as well with Vernon Fredericks starting at No 8 and the versatile Marco Kotze at blindside flanker. One of the team's star performers this season, flanker Pete Samu, has been given the night off, with Tevita Koloamatangi completing his return from injury to take his place on the bench. Koloamatangi played at blindsdie flank in the Tasman Griffins' South Island Invitation win over Canterbury Metro at Motueka last Saturday.
the durable Malneek, now poised on 98 games for the province, will also start off the bench as he potentially eyes up Sunday's clash against Auckland as his opportunity to achieve his 100th game.
Head coach Kieran Keane certainly doesn't need reminding of the threat Harbour pose, particularly after their come from behind win against Counties-Manukau last Saturday.
"There aren't any such things [as easy games] and the short turnarounds exacerbate the issue as well," Keane said. "But Harbour have got a short turnaround as well, and they have to travel, so it's pretty much even stevens going into it."
His players, most having experienced defeat at Harbour's hands, will be under no illusions as to the task ahead. Fresh off their best effort of the campaign, Friday's 36-17 trumping of Wellington in the capital, Wednesday's match comes at a tricky time for the Makos. They must regroup and recover quickly, focus on the Harbour game, then shift their attention to Sunday's clash with Auckland in Blenheim.
"We have really just got to manage our players, monitor the minutes they are getting," he said.
FACT BOX
TASMAN v NORTH HARBOUR
WHERE: Trafalgar Park, Nelson
WHEN: Wednesday, 7.35pm
REFEREE: Shuhei Kubo (Japan)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 6, Tasman 1 win, North Harbour 5 wins
LAST MATCH: North Harbour 23 Tasman 12, September 13, 2013 at Albany's North Harbour Stadium
TAB ODDS: Tasman $1.06, North Harbour $8
TASMAN MAKOS: David Havili, Viliami Lolohea, Kieron Fonotia, Alex Nankivell, Mitchell Scott, Trent Renata, Jimmy Cowan, Vernon Fredericks, Shane Christie, Marco Kotze, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Ross Geldenhuys, Quentin MacDonald, Tim Perry. Reserves: Jesse MacDonald, Siua Halanukonuka, Jake Stafford Wood, Tevita Koloamatangi, Liam Squire, Billy Guyton, Marty Banks, Robbie Malneek.
NORTH HARBOUR (from): Matt McGahan, Nafi Tuitavake, Junior Tofa Va'a, Matt Vaega, Tevita Li, Josh Rowland, Michael Little, Daniel Halangahu, Bryn Hall, David Bason, Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a, James Doyle, Josh Blucher, Jordan Manihera, Chris Vui, Gerard Tuioti-Mariner, Hayden Triggs, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons, Alex Woonton, Adrian Smith, Nic Mayhew, Ray Niuia.
