Makos named to hunt the Stags
Tasman winger James Lowe looked sharp against North Harbour after returning from a lengthy injury break.
James Lowe offered Tasman's rugby supporters a frustrating glimpse of what they've been missing after producing a sharp comeback performance in Wednesday's draw with North Harbour in Albany.
The classy winger has been a notable absentee for most of Tasman's Mitre 10 Cup premiership rugby campaign after a broken thumb ruled him out after their second round loss to Canterbury. Lowe suffered the injury during Tasman's opening round win against Waikato in Blenheim although at that stage, he didn't realise the extent of the damage.
He'd hoped to be back for Sunday's final round clash with Southland at Trafalgar Park but returned ahead of time to start on the left wing against Harbour. But Tasman's exasperating 27-27 draw aside, it was a successful return to action for the big Chiefs winger after he'd missed the entire 2015 NPC season following a shoulder operation.
"I'm a wee bit sore to be fair, but that's the nature of the sport really isn't it?" Lowe said after his first outing in close to two months. "It was definitely good to be back on the field, so here's hoping I get picked on Sunday.
"Everything's tracking nicely. When I first heard that I had to get surgery it was supposed to be eight weeks and then I managed to get it down to six weeks and I trimmed a few more days off. So I'm pretty happy with how the healing process went and all the rehab and things like that. It's just good to be out there playing."
Wednesday's outing was only Lowe's 33rd appearance for the province since debuting against Canterbury in 2012. And the lengthy break didn't appear to have affected him as he produced some trademark powerful attacking play, notably in the build up to second five-eighth David Havili's first half try.
He didn't feel his albeit heavily strapped thumb at all.
"I've been running quite a bit but the main thing I missed out on over the last six weeks is just really all the team stuff - being in the environment and simple catching and passing.
"I was happy with my performance [on Wednesday] and it's a shame we couldn't quite get over the line as we'd aimed to do, but hey, it's all part of the sport and we've got a big game this Sunday which if we play well in could set ourselves up quite well."
Lowe said it was "weird" feeling in the Tasman changing room after the match, the team obviously disappointed with their scrappy performance which included yellow cards to substitute centre Kieron Fonotia and flanker Ethan Blackadder.
"It was very frustrating, we just couldn't quite build enough phases and when we did build phases we turned it into points. But they were two pretty suspect yellows in my eyes, but I'm not the one wearing an orange jumper...so that's not up to me."
While much has been made of North Harbour's apparent hold over Tasman, who have now won just two of their eight encounters, Lowe said that Harbour are a better side than many people gave them credit for.
"They're a good side. You actually look across the board, they've got quality players throughout their team and they've been there or thereabouts all season and are going to be in the top four of the championship for sure - and good luck to them."
As for Tasman first five-eighth Marty Banks' final injury time penalty attempt from halfway that could have secured a Tasman win, Lowe said it looked good for a long part of its journey.
"It looked like it and had a wee bit of a fade right at the end, a bit unfortunate but it's just the way the cookie crumbles isn't it?"
Now it comes down to Sunday's clash with Southland and a chance for Tasman to head into their third straight premiership post-season.
"Our season's still on the line, so we really do need to perform."
Tasman have made five changes to their starting lineup with Fonotia, captain Shane Christie, Billy Guyton, Pete Samu and Pari Pari Parkinson all introduced.
Sunday's game kicks off at 2:35pm.
Tasman Makos: Mitchell Hunt, Viliami Lolohea, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, James Lowe, Marty Banks, Billy Guyton, Pete Samu, Shane Christie (c), Shannon Frizell, Pari Pari Parkinson, Alex Ainley, Ross Geldenhuys, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry. Reserves: Jesse MacDonald, Kane Hames, Siua Halanukonuka, Quinten Strange, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Christie, Alex Nankivell, Caleb Makene.
Southland Stags: Junior Ngaluafe, Tausosi Tuimavave, Dylan Collier, James Schrader, Mike Molloy, Wharenui Hawera, Jimmy Cowan, Mika Mafi, Tim Boys, Bill Fukofuka, Matt Phillip, Josh Clark, Morgan Mitchell, Brayden Mitchell, Guy Millar. Reserves: Jason Rutledge, Shaun Stodart, Mike Stewart, Phil Halder, Michael Dowsett, Greg Dyer.
