2008 AIR NEW ZEALAND CUP
Coach: Todd Blackadder
Asst. Coach: Bevan Cadwallader
Manager: John Caldwell
Asst. Manager: Brett Thornalley
The on field performance of Tasman were in contrast to the off field turbulence surrounding them. The characteristics Todd Blackadder showed as a player and captain – that of calm controlled management – were evident in his performance as Tasman’s coach. Off field the hastily married parents of Tasman were planning divorce and the bank was threatening foreclosure on the mortgage of the house, yet the Tasman team continued to play to the top of their ability thanks to the environment created by Blackadder. Sadly it will be commercial reality that determines the direction of Tasman rugby rather than the enthusiasm and ability they have shown on the field.
Tasman had its first challenge for the Ranfurly Shield against Wellington, and the 20-26 final score is indicative of how competitive Tasman had been. Tasman also produced its first All Black in Ben Franks – rather than existing All Blacks transferring in.
Robbie Malneek continues as an enterprising fullback and finished the season as the leading try scorer. Blair Cook was a speedy winger with an eye for the opportunity. Former New Zealand Sevens exponent Afeleke Pelenise finished the season strongly. Michael Pehi made some good contributions from the bench. Eyes were always going to be on Kade Poki who, since the previous season, had spent a campaign with the Crusaders, and been a valuable member of the champion New Zealand Under 20 team. Previously a winger he played centre this year where he was always heavily marked. Andrew Goodman at second five-eight was captain and occasional goal kicker who controlled his troops to good effect. Miah Nikora formally of Wellington and Taranaki directed play well and finished the season with a record number of points for Tasman. Kahn Fortuali’i at halfback continues to perform well in a high profile position.
Tasman has a treasure in Mark Bright. Jonathan Poff had his most productive season yet. Jack Lam was a newcomer who never looked out of place at this level of rugby. Will Crutchley from Hawke’s Bay joined Alex Ainley as the preferred locking pair who delivered all that could be asked of them. Promising Ben Franks played his way into the Alll Blacks. Ben May is also a talented prop, but the frequency of indiscretions may hinder his progress. Tristan Moran was a reliable performer who made the most of his opportunities from the bench. Daniel Perrin continued on from where he had left off the previous season – his performances continue to improve. They had to because hot on his heels was the highly promising Quentin MacDonald, from the champion New Zealand Under 20 team.
Ben Franks captained in the absence of Andrew Goodman.
Tasman Makos 2008 Air New Zealand Cup draw.
 Home Game
|
|||||||
| 1 | Makos | VS | Bay of Plenty |
 Blenheim |
31 July, 2008 | L 7 - 8 |
|
| (Try: Mark Bright; Con: Miah Nikora) | |||||||
| 2 |
Makos | VS | Waikato |
Hamilton |
8 Aug, 2008 | W 16 - 14 | |
| (Try: Joel Iggo; Con, Pen (2) & DG: Miah Nikora) v Waikato 14 (Try: Harding; Pen (3): Bruce) | |||||||
| 3 |
Makos | VS | Taranaki |
Nelson |
17 Aug, 2008 | W 33 - 23 |
|
| (Tries: Stephen Sasagi, Robbie Malneek, Joel Iggo; Con (3) & Pen (4): Miah Nikora) | |||||||
| 4 |
Makos | VS | Hawke's Bay |
Blenheim |
23 Aug, 2008 | L 6 - 41 | |
| (Pen: Miah Nikora, Andrew Goodman) |
|||||||
| 5 |
Makos | VS | Canterbury |
Christchurch | 31 Aug, 2008 | L 15 - 42 |
|
| (Tries: Robbie Malneek, Kahn Fortuali’i; Con & Pen: Miah Nikora) |
|||||||
| 6 |
Makos | VS | Northland |
Whangarei | 06 Sep, 2008 | L 31 - 10 |
|
| (Tries: Blair Cook (2), Ben May, Kahn Fortuali’i; Con (4) & Pen: Miah Nikora) |
|||||||
| 7 |
Makos | VS | Otago | Nelson |
13 Sep, 2008 | D 21 - 21 |
|
| (Tries: Robbie Malneek, Daniel Hyatt; Con & Pen (3): Miah Nikora) | |||||||
| 8 |
Makos | VS | Southland |
Blenheim |
19 Sep, 2008 | L 3 - 6 |
|
| (Try:Alfeleki Pelenise; Con: James Foote) | |||||||
| 9 |
Makos | VS | Wellington |
Wellington |
27 Sep, 2008 | L 20 - 26 |
|
| (Tries: Kahn Fortuali’i, James Marshall; Con: Andrew Goodman, James Marshall; Pen: Miah Nikora (2)) |
|||||||
| 10 | Makos | VS | Manawatu |
Palmerston North | 04 Oct, 2008 | L 36 - 7 |
|
| (Tries: Alfeleki Pelenise (2), Blair Cook, Miah Nikora, Robbie Malneek, Kade Poki; Con: Andrew Goodman (3)) | |||||||
| Quarter Final | |||||||
| 11 | Makos | VS | Canterbury |
Christchurch | 10 Oct, 2008 | L 10 - 48 |
|
| (Try: Alfeleki Pelenise; Con & Pen: Miah Nikora) | |||||||
Played 11 I Won 4 I Drew 1 I Lost 6 I Points for 198 I Points Against 248
2008 PLAYER RESULT
|
|
T |
C |
P |
DG |
TOTAL |
|
Miah Nikora |
1 |
12 |
16 |
1 |
80 |
|
Robbie Malneek |
4 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
Blair Cook |
3 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Kahn Fortuali’i |
3 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Alfeleki Pelenise |
3 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Andrew Goodman |
|
4 |
1 |
|
11 |
|
Joel Iggo |
2 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
James Marshall |
1 |
1 |
|
|
7 |
|
Mark Bright |
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Daniel Hyatt |
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Ben May |
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Kade Poki |
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Stephen Sasagi |
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
22 |
17 |
17 |
1 |
198 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
