Tasman team named for Premiership Final
Tasman's Shannon Frizell celebrates scoring a try in last year's NPC premiership final. The all-action lock is part of a young Makos outfit heading south on Saturday intent on picking up their first Mitre 10 Cup crown.
Season by season, the Tasman Makos are edging their way to the top of the provincial rugby mountain.
But the final steps are inevitably the toughest to take.
Especially when the team at the pinnacle is Canterbury. The Red and Blacks have become the benchmark for NPC success, winning the premiership for nine of the past 10 years.
Last season Tasman travelled south, keen to knock the Christchurch crew off their lofty perch, but returned home a well-beaten outfit.
In the first game of the 2017 season Canterbury handed the Makos a lesson in ruthless finishing, completing a clinical 39-0 victory on Tasman soil.
The TAB has installed the home side as red hot $1.25 to $3.70 favourites to defend their title in Saturday evening's Mitre 10 Cup final at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
So, how do Tasman overturn the odds and pick up their first NPC premiership crown?
Makos' head coach Leon MacDonald was respectful of his opponents, but fully confident his side had the game to turn around their rival's recent dominance.
"They are the benchmark team because they do the basics really well. They limit their mistakes and build their game around an efficient set piece which functions at a high 90 percent.
"It sounds simple, but you have got to be able to play the game and not make mistakes. [In the Taranaki semifinal] we produced some of our best play of the year, especially in the last 10 minutes. We dealt with pressure well and dominated 74 percent of possession. That's a blueprint for what is required to beat Canterbury.
"We have got to go there and play to win. We can't just go there and think we are going to just bash away at them and hope we strangle them to death. It's not going to be like that. We need 15 players that are fearless."
Selection of the Makos team for the the decider has been a muddled affair for the selectors who have had to deal with All Blacks call-up of prop Tim Perry, plus several lingering concussion concerns.
While the union has rejoiced in Perry's selection, he leaves a big hole to fill. "Tim's probably our best on-field leader at the moment," said MacDonald. "We'll miss him at scrum time but also what he does around the field, bringing the team together and problem-solving. He's going to be a big loss."
Fortunately Tasman have a very capable replacement in Siua Halanukonuka. The powerhouse Highlanders tighthead will switch to the loosehead for Saturday's showdown, his final hit out for the Makos before he moves to Glasgow.
Andrew Makalio and Tyrel Lomax, who was called up to the NZ Māori side this week, complete a formidable front row.
Skipper Alex Ainley and Shannon Frizell, the season's biggest improver, combine in the middle row, alongside the established loose forward trio of Vernon Fredericks, Ethan Blackadder and Jordan Taufua.
Finlay Christie retains the No 9 jersey, Billy Guyton still battling injury and bracketed on the bench with Ben Finau. Mitch Hunt, Alex Nankivell and Levi Aumua will again handle the inside back roles, with a change being made on the wing. Former league player and Tasman B standout Tomas Aoake has been chosen ahead of Tima Faingaanuku on the right flank with James Lowe, who is likely playing his final game for the Makos, on the left and Will Jordan at fullback, providing he passes a late fitness test.
Props Ryan Coxon and Drew Petelo are bracketed on the bench, with Isaac Salmon not expected to be available. Pete Samu and Braden Stewart are also paired in the reserves.
Since being flogged by Canterbury on August 18, MacDonald has been pleased by the Makos' steady improvement.
"By and large the group has just got a little bit better in all areas every week and the mindset around the way we approach the games, and training, has improved. Over the last few weeks we have prepared and trained like you would expect a Super team to. I think we have come a massively long way since that 39-0 caning ... more polished and professional.
"We have a young, brave team heading down to Christchurch with nothing to lose, ready to rip into it."
At a glance
Tasman Makos v Canterbury. AMI Stadium, Christchurch. 7.35pm Saturday, October 28
Tasman Makos: Will Jordan, Tomas Aoake, Levi Aumua, Alex Nankivell, James Lowe, Mitchell Hunt, Finlay Christie; Jordan Taufua, Vernon Fredericks, Ethan Blackadder, Shannon Frizell, Alex Ainley (captain); Tyrel Lomax, Andrew Makalio, Siua Halanukonuka. Bench: Ti'i Paulo, Tom Hill, Ryan Coxon/Drew Petelo, Pari Pari Parkinson, Pete Samu/Braden Stewart, Billy Guyton/Ben Finau, Tim O'Malley, Trael Joass.
Canterbury (probable): George Bridge, Josh McKay, Tim Bateman, Rob Thompson, Braydon Ennor, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Luke Whitelock (c), Billy Harmon, Tom Sanders, Dominic Bird, Mitchell Dunshea, Siate Tokolahi, Ben Funnell, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Chris Gawler, Oliver Jager, Hamish Dalzell, Reed Prinsep, Jack Stratton, Brett Cameron, Marshall Suckling.
Previous encounters
2017 Canterbury 39 Tasman 0 (Nelson)
2016 Canterbury 45 Tasman 14 (Christchurch); Canterbury 43 Tasman 27 - NPC premiership final in Christchurch
2015 Canterbury 41 Tasman 25 (Nelson)
2014 Tasman 38 Canterbury 10 (Christchurch); Tasman 26 Canterbury 6 - NPC semifinal in Nelson
2013 Canterbury 28 Tasman 13 (Blenheim)
2012 Tasman 25 Canterbury 22 (Nelson)
2011 Canterbury 36 Tasman 32 (Blenheim)
