Andrew Makalio enjoying his chance to repay Tasman's selectors
Makos hooker Andrew Makalio in action against Counties Manukau during their Mitre 10 Cup rugby clash in Blenheim.
Aucklander Andrew Makalio is making the most of his new lease on life.
There was a sharp intake of breath around the Tasman province earlier this year when the Makos' long-serving hooker Quentin MacDonald announced that he'd played the last of his 78 games for the province.
It was time for MacDonald, who'd debuted as a substitute against Waikato in 2007, to move on, the 27-year-old rake instead accepting a two-year contract to play for French club Oyonnax.
While MacDonald's younger brother, Jesse, remained on the scene, there was clearly a need for another hooker to fill the void.
It was former Tasman prop Tristan Moran, now part of the Auckland coaching system, who suggested to Makalio that he might want to try his luck in Tasman. And with hookers Greg Pleasants-Tate and Kurt Eklund blocking his path into the Auckland squad, Makalio heeded Moran's advice and headed to the Harlequins club in Blenheim.
"I saw there was a door open for the hooker's spot down here in Tasman, so I just thought I'd come down here and have a crack," Makalio said.
The powerful 24-year-old hooker's dynamic running game quickly captured the attention of those that mattered, earning selection in Tasman's Mitre 10 Cup squad and now a starting role in the No 2 jersey.
He's quickly become a crowd favourite with his aggressive, bullocking approach and at around 120kg, he's also made an impression on opposition defences.
Makalio has represented Auckland in every age-group from under-15s to Auckland B, so Tasman's historic 49-31 win over Auckland at Eden Park last Thursday held as much significance for the former Onehunga High School product as it did for the rest of his Tasman team-mates.
One massive second-half hit on his former Auckland B team-mate, substitute flanker Josh Kaifa, epitomised Makalio's attitude as Tasman ground out a satisfying victory. And it was particularly sweet for Makalio, playing against a team full of familiar faces - and against a team that had effectively overlooked him.
"Yeah, [I knew] pretty much all of them from age groups. It was good fun, but like they say, mates off the field but not on the field.
"It felt pretty good being the first Tasman team to beat Auckland at Eden Park."
Makalio was quick to point out that he bears no grudge towards Auckland, but he's thankful for the opportunity that Tasman has given him and is determined to repay the selectors' confidence in him.
He clearly enjoys the physicality but admitted he'd like to shed around 5kg, provided he could maintain his power. He's still coming to terms with some of his more specialised roles, such as lineout throws.
"It's been my work-on from the first game but I'm slowly getting there. I've still got a lot to work on but it takes time.
"I'm steadily working on little bits of my game so I can get to where I want to be - and hopefully getting into a Super [Rugby] team or something."
He's loving the team environment and was confident that Tasman were starting to kick into gear.
"The boys are very welcoming and in everything you do, they always back you up - good or bad.
"Everyone's slowly ticking the boxes and getting to where we want to be. We're feeling confident. It'll take time, but we'll get back to training and just take it day by day leading up to our next game."
