Makos named to tackle red-hot Wellington Lions

For the Tasman Makos it's a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Last week they were drawn against a well-performing Waikato side that led the premiership heading into the third round. On Sunday, they play Wellington, runaway leaders of the championship division and probably the hottest ticket in the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup.

The Makos found a way past the Mooloos, winning 31-29 in Hamilton, and must do the same against the rampant Lions if they are to stay in touch with the premiership leaders.

The good news for Tasman is that they are at home, Blenheim's Lansdowne Park, and appear to have turned a corner after a couple of patchy showings to open their campaign.

The bad news is their rivals' form. Wellington have been in prolific scoring form, averaging 38 points per game, but offering hope to the Makos is the fact they have also leaked a few, 23 points per game to be exact.

At the centre of their resurgence and bid for promotion to the premiership group is hooker Afaso Aumua, the most talked about player on the Mitre 10 Cup scene. The NZ under-21 star is one of several game breakers in the Lions' camp, none more dangerous than discarded All Blacks winger Julian Savea. Wes Goosen and Ben Lam also provide fireworks out wide. Brad Shields leads the way up front, alongside lock Sam Lousi and powerhouse prop Alex Fidow.  

The Makos have made a few changes for Sunday, based more on availability than tactical.

Andrew Makalio gets the start at hooker ahead of Ti'i Paulo, who drops to the bench, but the rest of the pack remains intact. Lock Quinten Strange, a late withdrawal from the Waikato game through illness, comes onto the bench along with young prop Ryan Coxon, who is in line to make his debut off the pine. The front row stocks are light, both Siua Halanukonuka and Kane Hames being ruled out with injuries.

The halfback pairing of Billy Guyton and Mitchell Hunt is retained but David Havili's return to All Blacks duty has meant a reshuffle in midfield. Alex Nankivell shifts in a place to second five, his preferred position, while Levi Aumua comes in at centre. The exciting back three of James Lowe, Tima Faingaanuku and fullback Will Jordan are back in harness, eager to build on their promising start to the campaign.

An obvious work-on for the Makos after their opening efforts is the late concession of points. In fact, they have allowed their opponents to outscore them 49-0 over the last 20 minutes of their first three games, a damning statistic head coach Leon MacDonald is only too aware of. "We've conceded eight tries in the last 30 minutes [of our three games] which is an average of a try every three and a half minutes," he pointed out, "so whatever way you look at it, it's not good."

The coaching team have been focussed on turning that issue around, including working hard with the bench players to ensure they come on and add maximum value. "We've had to make sure that [the bench players] get enough time in the saddle as well so that when they come on they are ready to go."  

Another problem in the early stages of the previous game was lineout inaccuracy. MacDonald said the late withdrawal of Strange and Hames, and the resulting disruption, was a factor but added that he was pleased with the way the forwards solved the problem at halftime and managed 100 percent success in the second half. He was also impressed with the Makos' effort at scrum time, especially the work of rookie tighthead prop Isaac Salmon who is finding his feet at the NPC level.

MacDonald knows his charges will have to have all facets of their game working if they are to tip over Wellington. "They are a very good team on a roll. It's going to be a hell of a challenge. 

"The belief in our team has grown after a pretty good performance [last week], take away that last 12 minutes.

"If we can get a good crowd along on Sunday that would be great ... to get our season rolling a big performance is critical."

At a glance

Tasman v Wellington, Lansdowne Park, Blenheim 2.35, Sunday September 10

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Teams

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

Wellington Lions: Ben Lam, Julian Savea, Wes Goosen, Regan Verney, Losi Filipo, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Brad Shields (c), Du'Plessis Kirifi, Will Mangos, James Blackwell, Sam Lousi, Alex Fidow, Leni Apisai, Tolu Fahamokioa. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Sitiveni Paongo, Ha'amea Ahio, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Mateaki Kafatolu, Sheridan Rangihuna, Dan Kirkpatrick, Levi Harmon.

Latest NPC results

Tasman: lost to Canterbury 39-0; lost to Manawatu 35-20; beat Waikato 31-29

Wellington: beat Manawatu 41-29; beat Taranaki 42-26; beat Bay of Plenty 31-10; beat Hawke's Bay 40-27

Latest NPC meetings

2015: Tasman 36 Wellington 17 (Wellington). 2014: Tasman 42 Wellington 20 (Wellington)

Weather forecast: A few showers and southerlies developing. High 14C.

TAB odds (match result): Tasman $1.95 Wellington $1.85