Tasman Makos HP side named to play Counties
An exciting, talent-laden Tasman Makos High Performance XV has been named to play their Counties counterparts in Auckland on Wednesday.
The top of the south side will be led by experienced Makos utility forward Vernon Fredericks, one of six Marlborough-based players in the starting line-up.
Former Wallaby Richard Kingi, used mostly at halfback by his East Coast club, will play on the right wing, Waitohi first five-eighth Tim O'Malley pairs with Central halfback Curtis Pedersen-Line in the halves while Te Ariki Ben-Nicholas, also from Central, joins Fredericks in the loose forward mix. Harlequins hooker Andrew Makalio will wear the two shirt.
Exciting Nelson fullback Tima Faingaanuku, Wanderers winger Josh Tafili, Kahurangi's Mike Wells and Stoke midfielder Alex Nankivell complete the backline division.
Wanderers player Tone Ng Shiu slots into the loose forward trio while the selectors have put their faith in the mobile locking combination of Stoke's Pari Pari Parkinson and Marist's Shannon Frizell.
Due to the withdrawal of props Issac Salmon and Brock Kaahu, Blair Prinsep, from Christchurch's High School Old Boys club will play on the tighthead side of the scrum with Stoke's Tom Hill at loosehead.
There is plenty of strength in reserve with former Makos players Jesse MacDonald, Jeff Lepa and Shaun Begg sitting on a powerful bench.
Makos' head coach Leon MacDonald says the game presented a two-fold opportunity for him and his fellow selectors. "There are a handful of positions [in the Makos squad] up for grabs so we are looking for players, both full contract and as back-up, but we also want the guys to start gelling as a team.
"If the Crusaders play the Highlanders in the Super Rugby final we may be without 14 or so of our Super players for game one, so a big chunk of guys that are involved in this game could potentially be involved in round one of the Mitre 10 Cup.
"So we are not treating it as a trial, we want them to play as a team ... it's an opportunity for us to get started for the year."
The match begins at the Papakura Rugby Club at 4.45pm.
This will be the first of three pre-season games for the Makos wider squad before the national provincial championship squad is announced for the first regular season match against Waikato in Blenheim on August 21. The Makos HP squad meet a Wellington HP XV on Wednesday, August 3, in Wellington, kick off 1.30pm, then a Manawatu HP XV on Friday, August 12 in Nelson, kick off 1.30pm.
Makos High Performance XV: 15 Tima Faingaanuku, 14 Richard Kingi, 13 Mike Wells, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Josh Tafili, 10 Tim O'Malley, 9 Curtis Pedersen-Line; 8 Te Ariki Ben-Nicholas, 7 Tone Ng Shiu, 6 Vernon Fredericks (captain), 5 Pari Pari Parkinson, 4 Shannon Frizell, 3 Blair Prinsep, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Tom Hill. Reserves: Brendan Asomua-Goodman, Jesse MacDonald, Inoke Latu, Ethan Blackadder, Jeff Lepa, Braden Stewart, Shaun Begg, Amos Pongia, Sam Chamberlain.
Unavailable due to injury – Trael Joass, Jesse Pitman, Steve Soper.
