Mako team named to play Hawke’s Bay
Friday 30 September, 7.35pm
McLean Park, Napier
By Jack Malcolm [Nelson App]
Leicester Fainga’anuku and Sevu Reece make their return to the Mako this Friday as the team takes on Hawke’s Bay in their final round-robin game of the season.
The pair will start off the bench, likely to act as replacements for wingers Macca Springer and Fetuli Paea, who have made a name for themselves this season.
With the All Black absence from the team, Macca has been a standout player on the wing with his fast footwork and massive boot.
Upfront, Atu Moli will start in the #3 jersey replacing Luca Inch from last week’s starting line up.
The remainder of the forward pack remains unchanged from the team that put in a 52-17 performance against Northland last Saturday.
The backline remains identical, with Alex Nankivell and Levi Aumua making waves as a dominant midfield pairing.
It’s a must-win game for the Mako as they look to shape up for the playoffs, currently sitting fourth on the table.
With 24 competition points, they are just ahead of Northland on 22 and behind Auckland on 25, with the final round having it all to play for.
Hawke’s Bay have had a middling season, capitalised by a fantastic run of defences of the Ranfurly Shield before losing it to Wellington while having a four win, four loss and one draw on their record.
They sit just outside playoff contention after falling to fifth in the odds pool on points differential to Otago, with both teams on 26 points.
They have shown that they are a defiant team at home, but the Mako will be hoping they are a tired outfit after back-to-back losses against the two top of the table teams in the odds.
Mako: Kershawl Sykes Martin 1, Andrew Makalio 2, Atu Moli 3, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta 4, Quinten Strange (c) 5, Max Hicks 6, Fletcher Anderson 7, Sione Havili 8, Noah Hotham 9, Willie Havili 10, Macca Springer 11, Alex Nankivell 12, Levi Aumua 13, Fetuli Paea 14, Taine Robinson 15.
Bench: Quentin MacDonald 16, Ryan Coxon 17, Sam Matenga 18, Moni Ngakuru 19, Viliami Napa’a 20, Louie Chapman 21, Leicester Fainga’anuku 22, Sevu Reece 23.