Makos given chance at redemption v Taranaki
Tasman Makos coaches Leon MacDonald and Mark Hammett are in a benevolent mood.
Despite their side's 31-point NPC beating by Canterbury on Sunday they have resisted the urge to make sweeping changes, by and large giving the same group of players a chance to put things right against Taranaki on Saturday.
"The boys that played at the weekend are pretty fired-up about doing well. So we want to give them another crack at it," said head coach MacDonald.
The coaches have noted a a "real determination" in the camp this week to bounce back immediately from a disappointing effort down south. "We have had a really good response ... a lot of honesty on our performance.
"It's always a worry as a coach when the players aren't really honest about their efforts, but there has been a lot of that and there is going to be a lot of feeling about getting things right for this game."
Apart from the injury-enforced absence of midfielder David Havili, replaced by Alex Nankivell, the backline is the same that ran out against the Red and Blacks. Up front, Andrew Makalio takes Jesse MacDonald's place at hooker while Shannon Frizell, who has recovered after taking a heavy knock playing on the flank in Christchurch, replaces Jeff Lepa at lock. Pete Samu will wear the No 6 jersey. All Blacks prop Kane Hames remains on the bench, with midfielder Trael Joass added to the mix this week.
The All Blacks selectors have done Tasman no favours, releasing powerful midfielder Seta Tamanivalu to play for Taranaki at Trafalgar Park, but keeping Tasman loosie Liam Squire in cottonwool.
An issue in Christchurch was the set pieces, with the Makos being shunted backward at several scrums and their lineout operating well below maximum efficiency. MacDonald said the forwards had been working hard this week on sorting out their deficiencies, but felt there was another reason for the drop in standards. "A lot of the set piece issues we felt were caused by fatigue after defending for so long. Hopefully we will see a stronger set piece this week, as long as we don't have to make 170-odd tackles."
Against such a powerful Taranaki unit that may be hard to avoid. They beat Bay of Plenty 30-22 first up, then accounted for Hawke's Bay 55-28 last weekend, so are in fine fettle. MacDonald is wary of their abilities. "They have a good backline, really physical forwards and bring a lot of physicality around the breakdown.
"Our performance around the clean out and breakdown was below par [in Christchurch] so they will be targeting us there."
The battle to get to grips with the new breakdown rules is on-going, according to MacDonald. "At the weekend we found we often made the wrong decision around the breakdown, whether to contest or stay out of it ... we've got to be smarter there.
"Having Waikato, Canterbury and Taranaki in the first three rounds means we have to get it right pretty quickly."
Saturday, September 3
Tasman Makos v Taranaki at Trafalgar Park, Nelson - kick off 2.35pm.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Tasman Makos: Mitchell Hunt, Tima Faingaanuku, Kieron Fonotia, Alex Nankivell, Jesse Pitman-Joass, Marty Banks, Finlay Christie; Vernon Fredericks, Shane Christie (captain), Pete Samu, Quinten Strange, Shannon Frizell, Ross Geldenhuys, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry. Reserves: Jesse MacDonald, Kane Hames, Blair Prinsep, Jeff Lepa, Tevita Koloamatangi, Billy Guyton, Trael Joass, David Havili.
Taranaki: Marty McKenzie, Beaudein Waaka, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui, Manasa Mataele, Stephen Perofeta, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi; Iopu Iopu-Aso, Berny Hall, Mitchell Crosswell (c), Leon Power, Ben Matwijow, Ryan Cocker, Rhys Marshall, Mitchell Graham. Also: Sione Lea, Reuben O'Neill, Mike Kainga, Mitchell Brown, Toa Halafihi, Kylem O'Donnell, Johnny Faauli, Declan O'Donnell.
Previous five meetings:
2015 Tasman 35 Taranaki 17 (New Plymouth)
2014 Taranaki 36 Tasman 32 (New Plymouth) NPC final
2014 Taranaki 31 Tasman 30 (Nelson)
2013 Tasman 27 Taranaki 20 (New Plymouth)
2012 Taranaki 49 Tasman 40 (New Plymouth)
TAB odds: Tasman $1.65, Taranaki $2.15
