Makos steel themselves for Counties Manukau
Counties Manukau' first five Piers Francis is held by the Makos defence the last time the sides met, in Pukekohe last year.
There will be no doubt in Tasman's camp about the challenge they face when a red-hot Counties Manukau side comes to Lansdowne Park in Blenheim on Thursday evening.
The free-scoring Steelers have tipped over Auckland and Waikato in their latest encounters and are well on course for a national provincial rugby championship semi final. Although they have scored as many wins as the Makos, they hold a six-point advantage in the standings, thanks to bonus points.
As well as facing a dangerous opponent, Tasman will have to break a recent trend if they are to continue their push for a Mitre 10 Cup play-off position.
Blenheim has been a happy hunting ground for the Steelers in recent NPC seasons.
They have won on their last two visits. In 2014 they tipped over the high-flying Makos in the final round before the play-offs, ultimately denying them a crucial home advantage for the final, which was lost in New Plymouth. Three years earlier Counties prevailed 32-23 in Blenheim.
However, previous records, and even current form, will count for little on the night, a fact reinforced by Makos head coach Leon MacDonald who suggested the new laws at the breakdown have altered the equation, often producing big momentum swings during the course of a game.
"Possession is so important on attack now. We had the ball in the first half [against Hawke's Bay] and they had it in the second half. If you look at Counties last week, they blew Waikato off the park in the first half and then they nearly lost it in the second.
"We've talked a lot about these swings and how we can wrestle that momentum back and stop a team like Counties getting their game going."
They will have to do just that on Thursday as the visitors will bring a side south laden with game-breakers.
All Blacks halfback Augustine Pulu, in concert with Blues first five Piers Francis, expertly guides the team around the park, while outside backs such as Sherwin Stowers and Sione Fifita are exciting finishers.
Crusaders, and former Tasman, loosie Jordan Taufua leads the pack, along with Jimmy Tupou and prop Kalolo Tuiloma, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the first 16 minutes last weekend. Their depth is underlined by the luxury of having Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu and Onosa'i Auva'a coming off the bench last week.
The biggest talking point around the Makos selection this week is the absence of skipper Shane Christie with a neck injury. The inspirational flanker will be replaced at seven by Tevita Koloamatangi, who made a good fist of the role in the second half of Saturday's win over Hawke's Bay. Shannon Frizell takes Koloamatangi's place at six, Jeff Lepa coming onto the bench.
The remainder of the team is unchanged, MacDonald positive about the team's latest effort and happy with what he saw from his less experienced troops in Napier.
"A lot of our reserves did well. It was good to get them game time. Under pressure you find out a lot more about them. Finlay Christie was fantastic when he came on, he may have saved us the game in the end.
"Ethan [Blackadder] also added value, and we have good backups in the front row. We expect a lot from our bench, and they added some depth, but there was definitely some areas in the second half we will need to tidy up leading into Counties.
"They are so dangerous right across the park – 120kg ball-carrying forwards and powerful, athletic backs. It's going to be a massive challenge but it is a home game and we haven't lost at home yet. We've talked about that and keeping that proud record intact. There's plenty riding on it."
At a glance
Thursday, September 29
Tasman Makos v Counties Manukau Steelers at Lansdowne Park, Blenheim kick off 7.35pm.
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown
Weather forecast: A few showers, mainly afternoon. Easterlies. High 15 degrees.
Tasman Makos: Mitchell Hunt, Tima Faingaanuku, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Caleb Makene, Marty Banks, Billy Guyton; Pete Samu, Shannon Frizell, Tevita Koloamatangi, Alex Ainley (captain), Quinten Strange, Ross Geldenhuys, Andrew Makalio, Kane Hames.
Reserves: Jesse MacDonald, Tim Perry, Siua Halanukonuka, Jeff Lepa, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Christie, Alex Nankivell, Trael Joass.
Counties Manukau Steelers: Luteru Laulala, Sione Fifita, Sam Vaka, Cardiff Vaega, Sherwin Stowers, Piers Francis, Augustine Pulu (co-captain); Sootala Fa'aso'o, Jordan Taufua, Jimmy Tupou (co-captain), Matiaha Martin, Viliame Rarasea, Kalolo Tuiloma, Gafatasi Su'a, Sean Bagshaw.
Reserves: Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu, Sione Faletau, Matt Vaai, Onosa'i Auva'a, Richard Judd, Joe Ikenasio, Sione Molia.
Previous years:
2015 Counties Manukau 42 Tasman 33 (Pukekohe)
2014 Counties Manukau 21 Tasman 16 (Blenheim)
2013 Tasman 40 Counties Manukau 20 (Pukekohe)
2012 Tasman 28 Counties Manukau 19 (Pukekohe)
2011 Counties Manukau 32 Tasman 23 (Blenheim)
2010 Counties Manukau 23 Tasman 3 (Pukekohe)
