Makos team named to take on Taranaki in Premiership semi-final
Prop Tim Perry, carrying the ball at Tasman training, will play his 50th game for the Makos on Sunday.
There is a rising tide of excitement in the Tasman Makos camp as they prepare for their biggest test of their season.
On Sunday they meet Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup premiership semifinal at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth, buoyed by a hefty win in their final round robin encounter and confident in the knowledge they can get the job done up north.
The Makos certainly know how to win at the daunting venue, having beaten the Bulls 35-17 in round robin play last season, and 27-20 in 2013. Head coach Leon MacDonald pointed to the round robin game last year and a 25-20 victory in Nelson earlier this campaign as indications his side are able to handle whatever their northern rivals throw at them. "We have had success against them ... so the belief is there around beating them.
"Myself and a few of the team have spoken to the team about the cauldron that Yarrow Stadium presents but we are actually pretty excited about going up there.
"We have had our backs to the wall a few times this year and those sort of challenges really excite the lads. We are ready for it ... there is a definite edge to the team, a noticeable rise in intensity this week, so we will be up to the challenge."
The Makos selection team have had their work cut out this week dealing with a series of injuries, both serious and niggling, which have shaped their training regime and their starting line-up for Sunday.
Two regulars from the starting pack are gone. Hooker Andrew Makalio's rookie season is over after breaking his hand, another in the long series of hand injury victims among the Makos this season. MacDonald is bewildered by the unlikely run of injuries in that area. "Andrew's is broken hand number five. I don't know what is going on here. Hammer [assistant coach Mark Hammett] reckons that in all his coaching career he has seen seven broken hands - five of them in this campaign."
Jesse MacDonald will step into the starting hooker's role with Tasman under-19 skipper Brendan Asomua-Goodman coming onto the bench. The rookie hooker will become the 16th debutant for Tasman this season if he gets onto the field.
Also missing from the Tasman tight five is young lock Quentin Strange, who has concussion issues. He will be replaced by rising star Pari Pari Parkinson, the 2.03m, 120kg giant who impressed during the 56-0 win over Southland on Sunday after recovering from a broken hand suffered pre-season.
While MacDonald curses the untimely injuries he is well aware of the fickle nature of rugby attrition. "At the start of the season we didn't know if we would have James Lowe for the play-offs and Viliami [Lolohea] was always 50/50 for this time of year so we can't have it all our own way."
He admits the absence of Makalio and Strange will be "big losses", but is confident in their replacements to do the job. "We have good cover. Pari Pari brings something quite different to the table as well - so we will soldier on."
MacDonald has named Marty Banks at first five, although the team's leading scorer is battling to overcome a, you guessed it, hand injury. Mitchell Hunt, who wore the 10 jersey against the Stags, returns to fullback.
Taranaki's back stocks, already formidable, will be boosted by the presence of All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo, unwanted for the test on Saturday night. He and centre Seta Tamanivalua are renowned game breakers, along with Crusaders midfielder Sean Wainui and goalkicker Marty McKenzie. The forwards are a typically hard-grafting 'Naki pack, but with several X-factor performers, similar to their Tasman rivals.
An indication of the changing face of the Makos team is the fact that only 10 of the 23-man squad that played, and beat, Taranaki in New Plymouth last season are on the plane this time around. MacDonald is pleased with how quickly such a new-look crew has come together. "I am especially happy with how well we have been able to fill the gaps that have occurred through injury this year, whereas in previous years we have been a bit light on the ground.
"I feel very comfortable with the team we are taking up [to Taranaki]. I feel it's a strong team, it's got good balance, we are in good spirits and our confidence is high.
"Individuals are getting better and better each week, the team is building momentum so I am happy with the space we are in at the moment."
At a glance
Tasman Makos v Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth - kick off 4.35pm, Sunday
Referee: Mike Fraser
Tasman Makos : Mitchell Hunt, Viliami Lolohea, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, James Lowe, Marty Banks, Billy Guyton; Pete Samu, Shane Christie, Tevita Koloamatangi, Alex Ainley, Pari Pari Parkinson, Ross Geldenhuys, Jesse MacDonald, Tim Perry. Reserves: Brendan Asomua-Goodman, Kane Hames, Siua Halanukonuka, Shannon Frizell, Ethan Blackadder, Finlay Christie, Alex Nankivell, Caleb Makene.
Taranaki (team from previous match): Stephen Profeta, Declan O'Donnell, Seta Tamanivalu, Johnny Faauli, Beaudein Waaka, Marty McKenzie, Kylem O'Donnell; Toa Halafihi, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Crosswell (c), Leighton Price, Ben Matwijow, Ryan Cocker, Rhys Marshall, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Sione Lea, Jared Proffit, Reuben O'Neill, Lachlan Boshier, Adrian Wyrill, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Sean Wainui, Latu Vaeno.
Previous meetings:
2016 Tasman 25 Taranaki 20 (Nelson)
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)
