Makos named to play Auckland at Eden Park
Makos lock Alex Ainley charges at the Auckland defence during the round robin game between Tasman and Auckland in Blenheim last year
If Tasman are to claim the four points required to keep them in the Mitre 10 Cup race at Eden Park on Thursday evening, they will be forced to make history.
The Makos have never won at the Auckland rugby fortress, their closest opportunity remaining a 16-16 draw in 2014.
With over half the NPC season having sped past, Tasman and Auckland both remain well in contention for a semifinal spot. Auckland sit second on 27 points, having played one more game than the Makos who lie fifth with 22 points, making this a pivotal encounter.
Both sides are coming off notable wins in the previous round. Tasman found a way to battle past Counties Manukau on Thursday in Blenheim, while Auckland put 50 points on championship leader Otago at Eden Park on Saturday.
Auckland's recent hot form, plus the fact Tasman were beaten by Otago earlier in the season, suggests the stars are lining up for a home victory, but Makos head coach Leon MacDonald said his charges planned to turn the odds around.
"[Playing] Auckland at Eden Park is one of the great challenges of New Zealand rugby. There is only one team that we haven't beaten away and that is Auckland. It's been unattainable for us so far so there is plenty of motivation.
"We have slowly been getting better and better every week and last week was our gutsiest win ... against a team that have beaten Auckland. We are tracking really well and there is plenty of confidence and excitement about the challenge."
There is good and bad news for Tasman on the injury front. They are able to welcome back skipper Shane Christie, who has missed the last game with a neck injury, and All Blacks prop Kane Hames, who was a late withdrawal from the Counties clash. Christie reclaims his number seven shirt, Tevita Koloamatangi shifting to six and Shannon Frizell to the bench. Hames comes into the reserves for Stoke prop Tom Hill.
The bad news is the absence of Crusaders centre Kieron Fonotia, who was injured on Thursday. He will be replaced in midfield by Alex Nankivell, with the rest of the backline remaining unchanged. Exciting winger Viliami Lolohea is set to make his first appearance of the season off the bench, following a lengthy recuperation from a serious ankle injury suffered during Super Rugby.
Auckland coach Nick White yesterday named a powerful line-up.
The only change to their previous side sees Michael Fatialofa come into the starting line up at lock, replacing the injured Taleni Seu, and Liaki Moli move to blindside flanker.
The Hickey brothers, Jono and Simon, will direct proceedings in the inside halves but it is another set of brothers, All Blacks-in-waiting Akira and Rieko Ioane, who will be high on Tasman's "must watch" list. Akira almost single-handedly took Tasman apart in the 2015 semifinal, while Rieko has been in superb form this season, especially since his shift to centre.
With other devastating ball-carriers, such as Melani Nanai, Lolagi Visinia and Vince Aso, to watch for out wide, Tasman's defensive line will have to be linked and lion-hearted.
While the 2016 Tasman team have not set the competition on fire they are certainly slow-burners, as their wins over such premiership notables as Waikato, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay (away) and Counties Manukau suggest.
They may be lacking bonus points, but not in courage, as their defence showed last week. While Auckland will start hot favourites, the TAB offering $1.49 for a home win against $2.60 for a Makos victory, the visitors should not be counted out.
Auckland certainly have the firepower, but will they bring the fire needed to match Tasman's traditional intensity?
At a glance
Thursday, October 6
Tasman Makos v Auckland at Eden Park, Auckland, kick off 7.35pm.
Referee: Glen Jackson
Tasman Makos: Mitchell Hunt, Tima Faingaanuku, Alex Nankivell, David Havili, Caleb Makene, Marty Banks, Billy Guyton; Pete Samu, Shane Christie, Tevita Koloamatangi, Alex Ainley, Quinten Strange, Ross Geldenhuys, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry. Reserves: Jesse MacDonald, Kane Hames, Siua Halanukonuka, Ethan Blackadder, Shannon Frizell, Finlay Christie, Trael Joass, Viliami Lolohea.
Auckland: Melani Nanai, Lolagi Visinia, Rieko Ioane, Vince Aso, Pryor Collier, Simon Hickey, Jono Hickey; Steven Luatua, Akira Ioane, Liaki Moli, Michael Fatialofa, Scott Scrafton, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Sam Prattley. Reserves: Blake Hill, Tom McHugh, James Lay, Ben Nee Nee, Josh Kaifa, Leon Fukofuka, Liam Steel, Latiume Fosita.
Recent encounters:
2015 Auckland 44 Tasman 24 Auckland (semifinal)
2015 Auckland 28 Tasman 19 (Blenheim)
2014 Auckland 16 Tasman 16 (Auckland)
2013 No game
2012 No game
2011 Tasman 30 Auckland 28 (Nelson)
2010 Auckland 49 Tasman 10 (Auckland)
