Malneek set for century celebration against Counties
Robbie Malneek, pictured here against Wellington, becomes the first Tasman player to achieve 100 games for the province on Saturday.
Robbie Malneek will finally get to celebrate his 100th appearance for the Tasman Makos when he runs onto Pukekohe's ECOLight Stadium to face Counties Manukau in Saturday's national provincial championship rugby match.
The 32-year-old fullback will become the Tasman union's first player to achieve 100 games for the province, having made his debut against Canada A way back in 2006. He brought up his 50th against Manawatu in Palmerston North in 2011, along with flanker Jonathan Poff.
"I'm excited, I can't wait really," Malneek said, having missed his chance to celebrate in front of a home crowd after being omitted from last Sunday's lineup against Auckland in Blenheim.
"I was obviously pretty gutted not to make the 23, but that's what the coaches wanted and what was best for the team, so yeah, I get my opportunity this week. Beggars can't be choosers, you've got to take them as they come," he quipped.
"When I came back [this season], it was a goal obviously to bring up 100 games and obviously to go one better in the premiership, but coming up to it, all the boys have been letting me know every week saying `four to go, three to go'. So it is quite a relief, but I'm really excited about it and I just want to play well really."
Malneek said the mood in the camp had been positive after last week's loss to Auckland.
"We have to be [positive] really. We just have to fix our mistakes and go out there and play better. We know that it's going to be tough again, like Auckland, so we just have to make sure we don't make the mistakes we did against Auckland and play well."
Most important, Malneek said any celebrations were strictly for after the game.
"When it comes to the game, it's all about business and winning as a team and playing well. At the moment it's about taking one game at a time and the total focus is not on 100 games, it's about playing Counties and making sure that we get the job done."
While Malneek will be playing his 100th game for the province, prop Kane Hames will be making his Tasman debut after breaking a finger at the start of the season. Tim Perry moves to the bench, with Jesse MacDonald also replacing big brother Quentin at hooker.
No 8 Liam Squire will miss the game after copping a one-match suspension for using a shoulder at a ruck against Auckland. It means another start for Vernon Fredericks, with Jimmy Cowan also replacing Billy Guyton at halfback.
Kade Poki starts on the left wing ahead of Mitchell Scott and centre Kieron Fonotia also returns after missing the Auckland game through injury. Former skipper Andrew Goodman also joins the reserves.
FACT BOX
TASMAN v COUNTIES MANUKAU
WHERE: ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe
WHEN: Saturday, 2.35pm
REFEREE: Kane McBride (Canterbury)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 6, Tasman 3 wins, Counties Manukau 3 wins
LAST MATCH: Counties Manukau 21 Tasman 16, October 8, 2014 at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park
TAB ODDS: Tasman $1.27, Counties Manukau $3.50
TASMAN MAKOS: Robbie Malneek, Viliami Lolohea, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Kade Poki, Marty Banks, Jimmy Cowan, Vernon Fredericks, Shane Christie (c), Pete Samu, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Ross Geldenhuys, Jesse MacDonald, Kane Hames. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Siua Halanukonuka, Tim Perry, Marco Kotze, Tevita Koloamatangi, Billy Guyton, Trent Renata, Andrew Goodman.
COUNTIES MANUKAU STEELERS (from): Toni Pulu, Frank Halai, Sam Vaka, Sione Fifita, Cardiff Vaega, Johnny Fa'auli, Willy Walker, Piers Francis, Richard Judd, Pele Cowley, Maama Vaipulu, Sam Henwood, Dan Hyatt, Jimmy Tupou, Jordan Taufua, Harry Fitzsimmons, Viliame Rarasea, Sikeli Nabou, Sam Aione, Jarrod Firth, John Tu'ungafasi, Sean Bagshaw, Pauliasi Manu, Gafatasi Su'a, Michael Lea.
