NBS Tasman Mako FPC team named
By Peter Jones [Marlborough App]
Coach Mel Bosman has named an exciting 30-woman NBS Tasman Mako squad to contest the 2022 Farah Palmer Cup competition.
The team will be captained by half back Hannah Kelly with back rowers Sui Pauaraisa and Tamara Silcock supporting as vice captains.
The majority of the squad come from the three clubs - Marist (11), winners of this season’s club title, Kahurangi (7) and Waimea Old Boys (6). Two hail from Marlborough’s Moutere club while four players have been brought in from Canterbury to boost playing depth.
A wider training squad of seven players has also been named.
The Tasman women’s side struggled in 2021. After making a promising start to their season with a 35-32 loss to North Harbour they were beaten by Taranaki and Northland before finishing their season with heavy defeats to Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu.
The Tasman Mako 2022 Farah Palmer Cup squad:
Props: Marama Elkington (Marist), Meleane Hala (Waimea Old Boys), Kolotita Lupeituu (Marist), Shayla Tuitupou (Marist), Akita Kees (Kahurangi), Raumati Rogers (Kahurangi). Hookers: Fai Auimatagi (Marist), Meika Newman (Marist). Locks: Tanita Garnett (Kahurangi), Laura Bayfield (Canterbury), Brooklyn Logan (Waimea Old Boys), Shevaun Collier (Marist). Loose forwards: Neve Anglesey (Waimea Old Boys), Sui Pauaraisa vice-captain (Canterbury), Tamara Silcock vice-captain (Marist), Jess Harvie (Waimea Old Boys), Tahlia Brody Marist – International), Emily Kelly (Kahurangi). Halfbacks: Hannah Kelly - Captain (Kahurangi), Keeley Ridley (Waimea Old Boys). Inside backs: Cassie Siataga (Canterbury), Alma Ngametua (Marist), Lesieli Taufa (Moutere), Jamie Paenga (Kahurangi). Outside backs: Klaudia South (Marist), Chloe Dixon (Kahurangi), Michelle Miller-Leef (Marist), Fiaalii Solomona (Moutere), Bethan Manners (Waimea Old Boys).
Wider training squad: Luisa Tafia (Kahurangi), Ashleigh Wood (Kahurangi), Vaiana-Marie Rima (Marist), Rebecca Faapopo (Moutere), Mili Mills (Marist), Katie Silcock (Marist), Ashlee Forsyth (Waimea Old Boys).
The Mako women will play three of their five round robin matches on home turf, hosting North Island powerhouses Taranaki (Saturday, July 3), North Harbour (Sunday, August 7) and Hawke’s Bay (Saturday, August 20). The Harbour clash will be played at Lansdowne Park, the others at Trafalgar Park.
Tasman’s full draw
July 23 – v Northland, Whangarei 4.35pm
July 30 – v Taranaki, Nelson 2.05pm
August 7 – v North Harbour, Blenheim 11.35am
August 13 – v Otago, Dunedin 11.35am
August 20 – v Hawke’s Bay, Nelson 2.05pm.
Quarterfinals will take place on August 27, semi-finals on September 2-4 with the Farah Palmer Cup final scheduled for early September.