Makos team named to play Auckland
Makos players Jordan Taufua, left, and Finlay Christie demonstrate the sort of defence that will be needed to gain victory against Auckland in Nelson on Sunday.
After digging deep to overcome North Harbour on Wednesday night, will Auckland be a bridge too far for Tasman on Sunday?
The Makos turned in a gutsy performance at Lansdowne Park, their 21-14 victory keeping them firmly in the Mitre 10 Cup rugby semifinal race, but they are battling a gruelling schedule. Sunday's match at Trafalgar Park in Nelson will be their fourth in 15 days, stretching their resources to the maximum.
A string of injuries and a couple of untimely suspensions have forced head coach Leon MacDonald and his fellow selectors to spread their net far and wide in a bid to remain competitive as the business end of the season approaches.
Makos' halfback Billy Guyton clears from a breakdown during the North Harbour game.
With two round robin games remaining, Tasman and Auckland are locked in a tight play-off tussle. The Makos have an eight-point lead over the northerners, meaning victory on Sunday will go a long way to booking a semifinal berth, although Counties-Manukau, Tasman's final opponents, could still have a say in that equation.
With such a short turnaround between the Harbour and Auckland games there is limited opportunity for the Tasman coaching crew to work on perceived problems, or tweak their game plan.
Fullback Will Jordan of Tasman slips through the Harbour defence.
"We will just compress things a little bit," said MacDonald. "It's more about recovery, getting the energy back and getting excited about the next game ... Auckland is actually a great game for us to have at this stage because the boys love playing them and consider it one of the big games of the year."
While victory over the Aucklanders will put the Makos in the box seat, MacDonald is taking nothing for granted. "There are still some big games to be played by other teams ... we won't focus too much on the result, it's more about making sure we turn up in the right head space to put another good performance in and give ourselves a chance."
A feature of Wednesday's win was the ability of the Makos to slow the game down during the final 10 minutes as Harbour mounted a strong comeback.
Players such as the outstanding Jordan Taufua, a ball of energy on both attack and defence, skipper Tim Perry, James Lowe and first five Mitch Hunt played the game at their own pace, showing an increased level of professionalism and the ability to close out a close game, a trait not always associated with the 2017 Makos.
The forwards took charge at lineout time, their driving maul paying early dividends with a penalty try award and exerting pressure on their heavier rivals throughout. Hooker Andrew Makalio was more prominent, seemingly recapturing the form that made him such a hit in his rookie year, while lanky lock Pari Pari Parkinson put his hand up with an energetic display. Skipper Tim Perry, although twice earning the referee's displeasure at scrum time, led by example and relished his return to Lansdowne Park.
Improved accuracy around the lineout, especially in such a tricky wind, was a pleasing aspect, along the more resolute goal line defence, meaning Harbour were forced to score both their tries from long range.
In the backline, Hunt offered a constant threat to the Harbour defence, repeatedly putting his body on the line, while young fullback Will Jordan continues to improve, his speed and ability to pop up in the right place at the right time underlining why he is so highly rated.
A plus for the Makos on Sunday will be the availability of blockbusting centre Levi Aumua, who was sent off against Otago and has sat out a three-game ban, while injured skipper Alex Ainley and flanker Vernon Fredericks are also a chance to play.
At a glance
Sunday, October 8
Tasman Makos v Auckland at Trafalgar Park, Nelson, kick off 2.35pm.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Recent encounters:
2016: Tasman 49 Auckland 31; 2015: Auckland 44 Tasman 24 Auckland (semifinal); Auckland 28 Tasman 19 (Blenheim); 2014: Auckland 16 Tasman 16 (Auckland); 2013: No game; 2012: No game; 2011: Tasman 30 Auckland 28 (Nelson); 2010: Auckland 49 Tasman 10 (Auckland).
Tasman Makos: Will Jordan, Tima Faingaanuku, Levi Aumua, Trael Joass,James Lowe, Mitch Hunt, Billy Guyton; Jordan Taufua, Vernon Fredericks, Ethan Blackadder, Pari Pari Parkinson, Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry. Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Siua Halanukonuka, Isaac Salmon, Alex Ainley, Pete Samu, Finlay Christie, Tim O'Malley, James Hawkey.
Auckland (previous game): Melani Nanai, Vince Aso, George Moala, TJ Faiani, Joe Ravouvou, Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald, Jono Hickey; Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Taleni Seu, Ben Nee-Nee, Jamie Lane, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Sam Prattley. Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Emersen Tamura-Paki, Dexter Fa'amoana, Sinclair Dominklovich-Murray, Dalton Papali'i, Nico Costa, Harry Plummer, Tamua Manu.
2017 games
Tasman: lost to Canterbury 39-0; lost to Manawatu 35-20; beat Waikato 31-29; beat Wellington 37-35; beat Otago 29-27; beat Southland 50-17; lost to Taranaki 40-26; beat North Harbour 21-14
Auckland: lost to Counties Manukau 16-14; beat Northland 10-8; lost to Waikato 35-27; lost to North Harbour 57-10; lost to Taranaki 49-38; beat Southland 27-17; lost to Otago 34-26; beat Bay of Plenty 38-19
Current premiership standings (after Wednesday's match): Canterbury 35 (played eight), Taranaki 31 (7), North Harbour 28 (8), Tasman 25 (8), Auckland 17 (8), Counties Manukau 17 (8), Waikato 14 (8)
