Mako NPC team named to play Canterbury

Friday 26 August, 5.35pm

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

By Peter Jones [Marlborough App]

The Tasman Mako men’s team to play Canterbury in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC clash Blenheim on Friday night contains a raft of changes from the side that lost to North Harbour on Saturday.

With All Blacks squad members Sevu Reece and Leicester Faiinga’anuku recalled to camp, Macca Springer and Taine Robinson return on the left wing and at fullback respectively.

Up front there is a major reshuffle, props Kershawl Sykes Martin and Atu Moli joining skipper Andrew Makalio in the front row, while Mahonri Ngakuru and Antonio Shalfoon step in at lock for Quinten Strange and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta.

In the loose, Anton Segner returns after suffering a head knock in the first match, while Hugh Renton replaces Sione Havili Talitui at No 8.

After two defeats in their first three matches this is looming as a must-win fixture for the Mako who will meet a powerful Canterbury side no doubt stung by their loss to Taranaki last weekend.

The Mako team to take on Canterbury at Lansdowne Park on Friday: 1 Kershawl Sykes Martin, 2 Andrew Makalio, 3 Atu Moli, 4 Mahonri Ngakuru, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 6 Anton Segner, 7 Braden Stewart, 8 Hugh Renton; 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Campbell Parata, 11 Macca Springer, 12 Alex Nankivell, 13 Levi Aumua, 14 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 15 Taine Robinson.

Sparkies: Quentin MacDonald, Ryan Coxon, Luca Inch, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Fletcher Anderson, Louie Chapman, Te Rangatira Waitokia, Willie Havili. Kick off 5.35pm.