Mako lacklustre in loss to Otago

By Jack Malcolm [Nelson App]

A lacklustre Tasman Mako have been delivered their first loss of the season at the hands of Otago, 24-16.

On the heels of a tough 39-7 loss for the Mako Women to the Otago Spirit, the men weren’t able to answer back in their match of the doubleheader.

The Mako had the first chance at points, with a missed penalty attempt by Campbell Parata, before Otago made them pay with their first real attacking opportunity.

Reserve back Ray Nu’u broke through a soft tackle attempt for an unconverted try before they grew their lead to eight from the boot of Cameron Millar.

Cameron had a great kicking game for Otago, punishing any infraction within the Mako half with points on the board.

When Tasman did have the ball and could build phases and pressure they found success, but they struggled at times with ball retention.

They would score their first points of the game through winger Timoci Tavatavanawai, the recipient of a ranging wide ball from second five-eighth Alex Nankivell after he glided through the defensive line.

Timoci would then earn his team a penalty for holding on that would see them draw even with the hooter sounding before the restart.

With points already on the board, the kick-off had to be made and didn’t go 10 setting the stage for a midfield scrum to end the half.

A conceded penalty by the front row gave Otago the lead going into the sheds, with Cameron slotting the ball through from halfway.

The second half would see the teams come out and build on their scores through their kickers, with Otago scoring two while Campbell kept Tasman in touch with one of his own.

Otago would stretch their lead to 11 points with second-five Thomas Umanga-Jensen slicing through the tackle to score a fantastic individual try.

Not to be outdone, Tasman fought their way back into the Otago 22 and would see their opposition reduced to 14 men for repeated infractions before hooker Quentin Macdonald bulldozed it over from the back of the maul on their fourth attempt.

The teams would trade another series of penalties, with Tasman down by six points and unable to create a meaningful attack.

They would end the game with a well-built series of phases that earnt a penalty to get them into the attacking zone, only for the lineout to be mishandled and the ball kicked into touch.

Mako captain Quinten Strange says they can’t play in patches and think they’ll be successful.

“You can’t turn up for 10 minutes at a time in this competition and I think we have to take a good hard look at ourselves.

“That first 20, first 30 (minutes), we weren’t there. We just gave them opportunity after opportunity and I think that was the difference.”

He said when they did find their flow on attack, they were able to show what they can do with ball in hand.

“We’ve got some pretty talented guys in that backline when they’re given the space and time. . . when we finally turned up with the right attitude.”

Otago 25 (Ray Nu’u, Thomas Umaga-Jensen tries; Cameron Millar 5 pen) def Tasman 19 (Timoci Tavatavanawai, Quentin MacDonald tries; Campbell Parata 3 pen). HT: 11-8.