2016 Mitre 10 Cup

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Captain: Shane Christie

Coach: Leon MacDonald

Asst. Coach: Mark Hammett, Andrew Goodman

Manager: Martyn Vercoe

Asst. Manager: Brett Thornalley

For the second time in three years the Tasman Makos went all the way to the Premiership Final, losing to Canterbury in a gallant effort. There were two defeats in the opening four matches, but after that the side hit form, remaining unbeaten until the Final. The side possessed a very good forward pack, and while the backs had talent they did not function well as a unit – while defensively good – a bonus point for scoring four tries was only achieved three times.

Players missing from last year were Robbie Malneek, Trent Renata, Joe Wheeler, Marco Kotze, Quentin MacDonald (all overseas), Mitchell Scott (Otago) and Jimmy Cowan (Southland). Debutants with previous first-class experience were Mitchell Hunt (Auckland), Andrew Makalia (Wairapa-Bush) and Tim O’Malley.

Tasman had great strength in the loose forwards. Shane Christie led the side splendidly, a fine example to the rest of the forwards with his driving play and mobility. Vernon Fredericks was playing well at number eight until his season ended with injury. Pete Samu was shifted there and figured prominently, as did Tevita Koloamatangi at blindside flanker. Due to All Blacks selection, Liam Squire (# 1151 – 8 Tests, 1 try) did not play for the Makos.

With Alex Ainley missing most of the first half of the season with injury (returning to captain the side in two matches), debutant Quinten Strange suddenly had the responsibility thrust upon him of being the number one lock, and responded superbly. The NZ Rugby Almanack selected Strange as one of its five Promising Players of the Year.

The Makos had four Super Rugby props to choose from with Tim Perry and Ross Geldenhuys getting the starts and Kane Hames and Siosiua Halanukonuka coming off the bench. It was a surprise that Hames only started once despite the temporary call up into the All Blacks to make his Test debut (# 1152 – 1 Test), as he is one of the top scrummagers in the country. At hooker Andrew Makalio was full of powerful running and big tackling, but his lineout throwing was variable.

Marty Banks once again made an enormous difference, to the team at first five-eighth, being the top points scorer in the Mitre 10 Cup competition. In his final season for the Makos, he departs leaving a number of scoring records for the Union, all achieved in just four seasons. At halfback, newcomer Finlay Christie was initially preferred, but Billy Guyton soon established himself as number one, bringing more physicality and control to the position. The midfield comprised the seasoned Kieron Fonotia and David Havili while Alex Nankivell was in his second season, with Havili probably the most consistent.

Injury affected all three wingers Tima Faingaanuku, James Lowe and Viliame Lolohea, with Faingaanuku looking an exciting prospect in his debut season with strong aggressive running. Caleb Makene was brought in on loan (from Canterbury) as injury cover and made a favourable impression as well. Mitchell Hunt had an excellent season at fullback, looking better there than at first five-eighth when Banks was unavailable.

Higher honours went to:
New Zealand All Blacks – Liam Squire, Kane Hames
New Zealand Maori – Shane Christie, Billy Guyton, Kane Hames, James Lowe
New Zealand Under 20 – Quinten Strange

(Source - 2017 Rugby Almanack)

Tasman Makos 2016 ITM Cup draw.

Home Game
1	Makos	VS	Waikato	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim	Sun 21 Aug, 4:35pm 2016	W 24 - 19
(Alex Ainley, Finlay Christie tries, Mitchell Hunt con, 4 pens)
2	Makos	VS	Canterbury	Christchurch	Sun 28 Aug, 2:35pm 2016	L 45 - 14
(Tima Faingaanuku try, Banks 3 pens)
3	Makos	VS	Taranaki	Trafalgar Park, Nelson	Sat 3 Sept, 2:35 2016	W 25 - 20
(Kieron Foinotia try, Marty Banks con, 6 pens)
4	Makos	VS	Otago	Dunedin	Sat 10 Sep, 4:35pm 2016	L 30 - 27
(BAlex Nankivell, David Havili, Shane Christie tries, Marty Banks 2 pens, 3 cons)
5	Makos	VS	Northland	Trafalgar Park, Nelson	Fri 16 Sep, 5:45pm 2016	W 33 - 23
(Tevita Koloamatangi, Quinten Strange, Shannon Frizzell tries, Marty Banks 4 pens, 3 cons)
6	Makos	VS	Hawke's Bay	Napier	Sat 24 Sep, 7:35pm 2016	W 36 - 29
(Tima Faingaanuku, Pete Samu, Kieron Fonotia, Marty Banks, Caleb Makene tries, Marty Banks 1 pen, 4 cons)
7	Makos	VS	Counties Manuka	Lansdowne Park, Blenheim	Sun 29 Sep, 7:35pm 2016	W 15 - 10
(Marty Banks 5 pens)
8	Makos	VS	Auckland	Auckland	Thur 6 Oct, 7:35pm 2016	W 49 - 31
(Pete Samu, Tim Perry, David Havili, Quentin Strange tries, Marty Banks 4 cons, 6 pens, )
9	Makos	VS	North Harbour	Albany	Wed 12 Oct, 7:35pm 2016	D 27 - 27
(David Havili, Andrew Makalio, Shannon Frizell tries, Marty Banks 2 pens, 3 cons)
10	Makos	VS	Southland	Trafalgar Park, Nelson	Sun 16 Oct, 2:35pm 2016	W 56 - 0
(Pete Samu, Andrew Makalio, James Lowe, Viliami Lolohea, Jesse MacDonald, Alex Ainley, Caleb Makene tries, Mitchell Hunt 5 cons, Tim O'Malley 3 cons)
Semi-Final
11	Makos	VS	Taranaki	New Plymouth	Fri 23 Oct, 2016	W 41 - 29
(Ross Geldenhuys, Alex Nankivell, Mitchell Hunt, Billy Guyton, Marty Banks tries, Marty Banks 5 cons, 2 pens)
Premiership Final
12	Makos	VS	Canterbury	Christchurch	Sat 29 Oct, 7:35pm 2016	L 43 - 27
(Shannon Frizzell, Billy Guyton, Jesse MacDonald tries, Marty Banks 3 cons, 2 pens)

Played 12 - Won 8 - Lost 3 - Drew 1 - Points for 374 - Points Against 306

2016 POINTS SCORERS

	T	C	P	TOTAL
Marty Banks	2	24	22	124
David Havili	1	4	7	34
Keiron Fonotia	5	0	0	25
Pete Samu	5	0	0	25
Shane Christie	4	0	0	20
Trent Renata	1	3	2	17
Mitchell Scott	3	0	0	15
Liam Squire	3	0	0	15
Jimmy Cowan	3	0	0	15
Viliami Lolohea	3	0	0	15
Quentin MacDonald	2	0	0	10
Billy Guyton	2	0	0	10
Marco Kotze	2	0	0	10
Robbie Malneek	1	0	0	5
Alex Ainley	1	0	0	5
Joe Wheeler	1	0	0	5
Vernon Fredericks	1	0	0	5
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