Tasman Buccaneers named to play pre-season v Counties-Manukau
BYPETER JONES [Marlborough App]
Playerskeen to force their way into the Tasman Mako mix for the 2018 Mitre 10 Cupcampaign are running out of time to impress.
Theirnext opportunity comes tomorrow, when the Tasman High Performance XV, alsoknown as the Buccaneers, play their second game, this time against CountiesManukau at Manurewa Rugby Club.
Thereare several changes to the side which lost their first warm-up game, 29-22 toHawke’s Bay. Impressive club form sees Central hooker Jesse MacDonald, plusWaitohi fullback and Tongan international Fetuli Paea, added to the startingline-up.
East Coast halfback and Fijian international Nemia Kenatale comes onto apowerful-looking bench, especially with Tim Perry and Jordan Taufua in the mix.The Crusaders forwards and All Blacks squad members are coming back from injuryand will relish the game time.
Theywill also relish coming up against their Crusaders team mate, former All Blackscaptain Kieran Read, who is expected to turn out for the Counties combinationas he makes his way back to full match fitness.
Anotherinteresting bench player for Tasman is exciting Central midfielder TimociTavatavanawai who marked his return to the Marlborough club scene with fivetries in his first game.
The Tasman Mako High Performance XV: 1Ryan Coxon, 2 Jesse MacDonald, 3 Blair Prinsep, 4 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidevita, 5Mike Curry, 6 Jacob Norris, 7 Ant Burnett, 8 Hugo Nankivell; 9 Ben Finau, 10Tim O’Malley, 11 Tima Faingaanuku, 12 Mike Vaeno, 13 Nick Foxley, 14 TomasAoake, 15 Fetuli Paea. Bench: Brendon Asomua-Goodman, Tim Perry, GeorgeTuineau, Caleb Havili, Jordan Taufua, Nemia Kenatele, Willie Havili, TimociTavatavanawai. Kick off 1.15pm.
