Makos end pre-season campaign with solid win over Manawatu
If you're looking for a positive segue into your national provincial championship rugby campaign, then a solid 24-14 win over a near full-strength Manawatu isn't a bad way to go.
Tasman Makos coaches Leon MacDonald and Mark Hammett were all smiles after their team's spirited final pre-season blow-out at Trafalgar Park on Friday as they eventually out-scored a stunned Manawatu side by four tries to two.
"I was thrilled," was MacDonald's succinct post-match appraisal.
Tasman lock Quinten Strange delivers at the lineout.
"The progress in one week has been massive from these guys. We've had a big, heavy training week and I was a little bit concerned that they might not have the legs, but they showed a lot of guts right to the end and finished very strongly."
Tasman had led 10-0 after a dominant first half through tries to halfback Finlay Christie and to No 8 Vern Fredericks right on the break.
Manawatu fought back soon after the restart with a try to substitute first five-eighth Sam Malcolm and eventually took their first and only lead at 14-10 with eight minutes left when substitute No 8 Valentino Mapapalangi crashed over out wide.
But in an encouraging show of character, Tasman produced a stunning two-try finish as reserve winger Josh Tafili, then reserve prop Drew Petelo, both scored within two minutes of each other to seal victory.
"The forwards, I thought, really punched up physically and our defensive line, we put a lot of pressure on them there and applied a lot of pressure at the breakdowns," MacDonald said. "They were a couple of areas that we focused on and was really happy there."
Tasman's efficient set-piece work was highlighted by a highly functional lineout in which locks Pari Pari Parkinson and Quinten Strange delivered consistent quality ball.
Tasman's crop of new players showed that they're quick learners after being mauled 41-12 by a Wellington XV the previous week.
"Our one-on-one tackling was a lot better...a lot more pride in our personal defence. But I think we [also] slowed the ball down a lot better at the breakdown and created slow ball for them. So that allowed us to get set better."
New halfback halfback Christie was one of Tasman's stand-out performers, with his crisp pass and physicality likely to ensure plenty of competition for incumbent No 9 Billy Guyton this season.
Midfielder Alex Nankivell reminded everyone of his genuine class and Tasman's back three of wingers Jesse Pitman and Tima Faingaanuku and fullback Mitchell Hunt all showed some nice attacking touches. Hunt also revealed his blistering pace to defuse a threatening second half Manawatu attack.
With Tasman's first NPC match looming against Waikato in eight days and the bulk of Tasman's Super Rugby players due back on Monday, Friday's positive performance prompted a tongue-in-cheek response from MacDonald.
"We've got a whole group of young boys here who can teach the old fellas when they come back and help get them up to speed.
"Now the pressure's on these guys throughout the week to push for selection.
"We were a little bit disappointed last week...so to be able to put in a performance like that, and we knew we had it in us, was pleasing."
Tasman Makos 24 (Finlay Christie, Vern Fredericks, Josh Tafili, Drew Petelo tries, Mitchell Hunt 2 con) Manawatu Turbos 14 (Sam Malcolm, Valentino Mapapalangi tries, Malcolm 2 con) HT: 10-0.
