Congratulations to Canterbury on winning the Premiership Final
Congratulations to Canterbury on winning the Premiership Final
In the end, Canterbury were just too strong and too good, prevailing 35 – 13 on Saturday night in Christchurch.
That said, we must salute our team, who gave it their all and represented the region with pride and commitment. It is quite remarkable that our Tasman Makos, only 12 seasons old, under threat of extinction in 2009, and with a team that came 14th in 2011, has now contested 3 Premiership Finals in the last 4 years.
Canterbury too strong for Tasman
Opinion: Makos must wait
Premiership Final photos by Shuttersport
It was also not the send-off for James Lowe and Siosiua Halanukonuka that the team and fans were hoping for.
James Lowe aka “J-Lo”, Mako # 101, 47 matches, 20 tries (100 points), has been a fantastic left wing for the team and a very popular player with the fans. The way he shows his enjoyment for the game is endearing and he has scored some amazing tries for us (the second highest try scorer in our history, behind only Robbie Malneek).
James is proud of his local roots, as displayed in his post-match interview on Saturday night, and is very loyal to his beloved Nelson College, Waimea Old Boys and “Tassie”.
He is off to Leinster in Ireland on a 3-year contract and has Test Match rugby ambitions. However, just 3 matches short of his 50 Game Blazer, and at just 24 years of age, it can be reasonably expected that we will see J-Lo in a Makos jersey again one day.
Siosiua Halanukonuka aka “Siua” or “the Blonde Waka”, Mako # 114, 46 matches, 1 try (5 points), joined the team in 2013 and has been a key member of the team that has performed so well over the last 5 seasons.
His ability to play at both tight head and loose head prop has been a big asset, and his wonderful manner off the field has made him a very popular team mate, and he has always had time to mix and talk with the fans.
Siua is off to the Glasgow Warriors, and we will follow the big fellah’s progress with interest.
Fins Up to these long serving and outstanding Makos.
