Makos keen to rattle table-topping Mooloos

Teams from opposite ends of the Mitre 10 Cup rugby spectrum meet in Hamilton on Sunday afternoon.

Tasman languish at the base of the NPC premiership table and Waikato sit proudly on top. The Makos have lost their opening encounters, to Canterbury and Manawatu, while the Mooloos have won two from three, including a gutsy 35-27 win over Auckland at Eden Park on Wednesday night.

However, despite the disparity in their fortunes during the opening weeks of the competition, all indicators suggest a tight battle is in prospect at FMG Stadium Waikato.

The Makos will be desperate. Given the strength of their roster they have underperformed, and they know it.

​The team's management have made eight changes to the line-up from last week's match. All Black prop Kane Hames comes in at tight head for Isaac Salmon, who drops to the bench, Vernon Fredericks will wear the No 7 shirt instead of Pete Samu and Ethan Blackadder takes over from Shannon Frizell on the blindside flank. Andrew Makalio is fit again and fills the back-up hooker's role.

Billy Guyton reclaims the No 9 jersey, All Blacks squad member David Havili has been released and will play in midfield, while James Lowe is good to go again and takes the left wing berth. Right winger Tima Faingaanuku is bracketed with fit-again utility Levi Aumua.

The return of the versatile Havili is timely. Head coach Leon MacDonald says the Crusaders stand-out offers several benefits. "David is obviously a good player, that's why he's an All Blacks, but most of all he's a very good on-field leader. His game understanding and direction will be valuable ... he will just help to take the pressure off [first five] Mitch Hunt and help lead the team around the park."   

MacDonald was very disappointed with his side's accuracy against Manawatu, an area they have focussed on this week. "Out of a total of 64 rucks we turned the ball over within one or two phases in 46 of them, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out out that we didn't hold the ball and create enough pressure. It was obvious within the first five minutes that needed to be addressed on the field and unfortunately, for whatever reason, we weren't able to rectify it."

Although Waikato have to front up for two games in five days, MacDonald doesn't see that schedule as a disadvantage, suggesting the players seem to thrive on the challenge.

"They are coming off a win against Auckland, two wins in a row, so they will be confident and ready to go."

The Makos have compiled a strong record against the Mooloos, winning their previous four encounters, but will have their work cut out against a side which has been developing young talent in recent seasons. "This Waikato team is just starting to mature and the results are beginning to come .. they have a gnarly forward pack, their set pieces are physical and they have firepower in the backline as well.

"It will be a very tough game and a big challenge for us."

Despite his side's patchy start, MacDonald says the feeling in camp remains positive. 

"We know we can't keep playing like we did in the first two rounds. We know we are a lot better than that and we haven't lost belief. This week the attitude has been good, nobody has dropped their lip and we are getting a really good response, which is the main thing. 

"Now it's up to us to put a performance on the track that we can be proud of."        

At a glance

Tasman Makos v Waikato at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton - Sunday, September 3, 2.35pm

Referee: James Doleman

Tasman Makos Will Jordan, Tima Faingaanuku, Alex Nankivell, David Havili, James Lowe, Mitchell Hunt, Billy Guyton; Jordan Taufua, Vernon Fredericks, Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange, Alex Ainley (c), Kane Hames, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Tom Hill, Isaac Salmon, Shannon Frizell, Pete Samu, Finlay Christie, Tim O'Malley, Levi Aumua.

Waikato (provisional): Zac Guildford, Tyler Campbell, Bailyn Sullivan, Dwayne Sweeney (c), Sevu Reece, Sam Christie, Tawera Kerr-Barlow; Jordan Manihera, Mitch Jacobson, Luke Jacobson, James Tucker, Jacob Skeen, Sefo Kautai, Hame Faiva, Loni Uhila. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ayden Johnstone, Joshua Iosefa-Scott, Leva Fifita, Adam Burn, Pele Cowley, Tevita Taufui, Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara.

Previous results this season

Makos: v Canterbury lost 39-0; v Manawatu lost 35-20

Waikato: v Taranaki lost 34-29; v Counties won 33-21; v Auckland won 35-27 

Previous meetings

2016 Tasman 24 Waikato 19 (Blenheim)

2015 Tasman 35 Waikato 20 (Hamilton)

2014 Tasman 23 Waikato 16 (Nelson)

2013 Tasman 64 Waikato 28 (Nelson)

2102 Waikato 20 Tasman 19 (Hamilton)

2011 Waikato 35 Tasman 6 (Hamilton)