Makos named to take on Taranaki
Makos' skipper Alex Ainley returns to the starting line-up for Thursday's vital clash with Taranaki in New Plymouth.
The next 11 days could well decide Tasman's Mitre 10 Cup rugby season.
The Makos face a daunting schedule - taking on North Island powerhouses Taranaki, North Harbour and Auckland in quick succession.
All three sides pose a considerable threat to Tasman's NPC semifinal prospects, especially Thursday's opponent, second-placed Taranaki.
Tasman halfback Billy Guyton throws out a pass in the NPC premiership semifinal against Taranaki last season.
The Makos travel to New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium with the wind in their sails, having won their previous four games after starting the season 0-2. Bagging bonus points with each of their victories has pushed Tasman into a play-off position - now the battle is on to stay there.
Their rivals on Thursday are also on a four-game winning roll. In recent years matches between Taranaki and Tasman have become pivotal affairs. In 2014 the Bulls denied the Makos the premiership title, but since then Tasman have held sway, claiming a significant semifinal win in New Plymouth last season.
The Makos have had a short recovery time after dispatching Southland 50-17 in Nelson on Sunday. While their performance was clinical at times, it was sloppy on other occasions, leaving plenty of room for improvement against a more formidable opponent on Thursday.
Makos' coach Leon MacDonald took the opportunity to rest several influential players from the starting line-up on Sunday, hoping to freshen them up for the forthcoming challenges.
Skipper Alex Ainley, who had Sunday off, returns to lead the side. The veteran's set piece acumen will be invaluable, especially at line-out time, an area of concern against the Stags. His return is bad news for fellow lock Shannon Frizell, who had a storming game at Trafalgar Park but is relegated to the bench.
Returned to the starting XV is specialist tighthead prop Siua Halanukonuka, who made an immediate impact off the pine on Sunday. Open side flanker Vernon Fredericks also comes back in, rejoining Ethan Blackadder and Jordan Taufua in what has become a very effective trio. Pete Samu shifts to the bench.
Despite promising starting efforts from Finlay Christie and Tim O'Malley on Sunday, the established firm of Billy Guyton and Mitch Hunt reclaim the inside back roles. The remainder of the backline remains intact, with the ever-improving Will Jordan becoming a major threat from the back as his confidence grows. James Lowe's creativity brilliance on the left wing, while sometimes back firing, is becoming a major part of the side's armoury.
The Makos' bench, such a big part of their success in 2016, is beginning to look more formidable. In Ti'i Paulo, Tom Hill, Tyrel Lomax, Frizell and Samu they have five forwards capable of making a significant impact, while Christie, O'Malley and old hand Robbie Malneek offer different skills and strengths when called on.
MacDonald said his side had got through Sunday's match "pretty much unscathed", offering a wider range of selection options. "Going into this busy period we are trying to give guys who haven't had much game time some time on the paddock ... if we have any injuries from now on in there is not a lot of training time. We feel we have created a bit of depth and kept renewing that competition for positions.
"I think [Sunday's game] served that purpose and we have put ourselves in a good position going into this week."
MacDonald was happy with how his side was growing. "Week to week we are getting better and better. We are still making errors, as are the other teams, but we are working hard on limiting those mistakes.
"This is a great test for us against a confident side ... but we always enjoy the challenge of playing them up there."
At a glance
Tasman Makos v Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth - kick off 7.35pm, Thursday
Tasman Makos: Will Jordan, Viliami Lolohea, Trael Joass, Alex Nankivell, James Lowe, Mitch Hunt, Billy Guyton; Jordan Taufua, Vernon Fredericks, Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange, Alex Ainley, Siua Halanukonuka, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Tom Hill, Tyrel Lomax, Pete Samu, Shannon Frizell, Finlay Christie, Tim O'Malley, Robbie Malneek.
Taranaki: Marty McKenzie, Declan O'Donnell, Sean Wainui, Johnny Fa'auli, Seta Tamanivalu, Stephen Perofeta, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi; Toa Halafihi, Lachlan Boshier, Pita Gus Sowakula, Leon Power, Kane Thompson, Angus Ta'avao, Ricky Riccitelli, Mitchell Graham. Reserves: Donald Maka, Jared Proffit, Mike Kainga, Fin Hoeata, Adrian Wyrill, Logan Crowley, Ciarahn Matoe, Manasa Mataele.
Previous meetings:
2016 Tasman 25 Taranaki 20 (Nelson); NPC semifinal Tasman 41 Taranaki 29 (New Plymouth)
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)
2017 records
Tasman: lost to Canterbury 39-0; lost to Manawatu 35-20; beat Waikato 31-29; beat Wellington 37-35; beat Otago 29-27; Tasman 50 Southland 17
Taranaki: beat Waikato 34-29; lost to Wellington 26-42; beat Counties Manukau 30-27; beat Auckland 49-38; beat Bay of Plenty 29-7; beat Hawkes Bay 48-17
Premiership standings (as at September 25): Canterbury 30 (played seven), Taranaki 26 (6), North Harbour 23 (6), Tasman 20 (6), Waikato 14 (7), Counties Manukau 13 (7), Auckland 12 (7).
Following the Taranaki game, Tasman meet North Harbour in Blenheim on Wednesday October 4, then Auckland in Nelson on October 8.
