2018 Mitre 10 Cup
Captain: David Havili
Coach: Leon MacDonald
Asst. Coach: Andrew Goodman, Shane Christie, Clarke Dermody
Manager: Martyn Vercoe
After finishing the round robin in second place, with their best ever record of nine wins and just one defeat, Tasman’s season ended with a disappointing home defeat to Canterbury in the Premiership semi-final. Leading 13-6 at halftime, the Mako could not maintain their ascendancy in the second half, going down 16-21, with two yellow cards not helping the cause. Since winning the Championship in 2013, Tasman has made the Premiership semi-finals in all five succeeding years, a feat only Canterbury has been able to match in the same period.
Tasman owed much of its success to its strong forward pack, in particular, the performance of the tight five, whose scrummaging, mauling and lineout regularly set the tone for the side’s performance.
Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Makalio and Tyrel Lomax formed one of the best front rows in the country. The retired All Black Crockett was an outstanding scrummager at loosehead, and it was noticeable that when he was subbed off in the semi-final that Tasman’s effort there was reduced. His experience was also invaluable to the young players around him. Andrew Makalio was a forceful tackler, a hard man to stop with ball in hand, and solid performer in his set-piece roles. With a season of Super Rugby behind him, 22-year-old tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax built on last year’s debut season to show considerable improvement, particularly with his mobility, to win All Black’s selection for the test against Japan. All three appeared in every match.
The two young locks 2.04m Pari Pari Parkinson and 1.99m Quinten Strange turned 22 years old during the Mitre 10 Cup. With veteran Alex Ainley battling injury all year and appearing in only the final two matches, the two youngsters probably got more game time than originally planned. Both blossomed with some very fine performances at the heart of the set pieces.
Ethan Blackadder was a tireless worker at blindside flanker, where his attack and defence work was consistently of a high standard, and the only Mako to play every minute of the season. Specialist openside flanker Jed Brown was a valuable acquisition, also doing a lot of the unfashionable work required at the tackle and breakdown.
Number eight Vernon Fredericks had his season end with injury in the opening match. Loan player Taina Fox-Matamua was the best of the replacements used.
At halfback Finlay Christie was in excellent form with his crisp passing, sniping running around the edges and quick decision making. Mitchell Hunt was one of the best first five-eights in the Mitre 10 Cup. He directed the team well with a good balance between kicking, running and moving the ball on. Hunt also passed 100 points for the season with reliable goal-kicking.
Captain David Havili and Levi Aumua were a very effective midfield partnership with contrasting styles. The 118 kg centre Aumua was always difficult to contain with his strong direct running while Havili showed good line-breaking ability and distribution.
At fullback, 20-year-old Will Jordan was top try scorer with nine tries. His sensational running skills, allied with pace, were all on display again. He possesses a good clearing kick, but his tackling was inconsistent.
New arrival Solomon Alaimalo was the best of the wings. He did not reach the excellent form he displayed for the Chiefs in Super Rugby, but was always dangerous, particularly from broken play.
From last year’s team, James Lowe, Peter Samu, and Siosiua Halanukonuka left for overseas clubs. Before the season started, Shane Christie announced a premature retirement due to the ongoing effects of concussion, with Billy Guyton doing the same during the Mitre 10 Cup. Kane Hames played no rugby at all in 2018 due to a concussion.
New players into the province with previous first-class experience were Jed Brown and Wyatt Crockett (both Canterbury), Solomon Alaimalo (Northland), and Ray Niuia (North Harbour).
Higher honours went to:
New Zealand: Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax, Tim Perry, Liam Squire.
New Zealand Maori: Tyrel Lomax, Pari Pari Parkinson.
New Zealand Under 20: Leicester Fainga’anuku, Jamie Spowart.
New Zealand Sevens: Tima Fainga’anuku, Trael Joass, Andrew Knewstubb, Tone Ng Shiu.
(Source - 2019 Rugby Almanack)
Tasman Makos 2018 NPC draw.
 Home Game Tickets |
||||||
| 1 | Canterbury |
Blenheim
|
Fri 17 Aug, 7.35pm
|
W 25-17 | |
|
| 2 | Southand |
Blenheim
|
Sun 26 Aug, 2.05pm | W 45-24 | |
|
| 3 | North Harbour | Albany | Sat 1 Sep, 7.35pm | W 32-20 | ||
| 4 |
Auckland
|
Auckland | Fri 7 Sep, 7.45pm | L 10-36 | ||
| 5 | Taranaki |
Nelson
|
Fri 14 Sep, 7:45pm | W 53-17 | |
|
| 6 |
Manawatu
|
Palmerston North | Wed 19 Sep, 7.35pm | W 29-19 | ||
| 7 |
Counties Manukau
|
Nelson
|
Sun 23 Sep, 2.05pm | W 21-19 | |
|
| 8 |
Wellington
|
Wellington | Sat 29 Sep, 7.35pm | W 28-22 | ||
| 9 |
Otago
|
Dunedin | Sun 7 Oct, 4.35pm | W 47-21 | ||
| 10 |
Hawke’s Bay
|
Nelson
|
Thu 11 Oct, 7.35pm | W 29-0 | |
|
| 11 | SF - Canterbury |
Nelson
|
Fri 19 Oct, 7.35pm | L 16-21 |
|
|
| 12 | Premiership Final | TBA | Sat 27 Oct, 7.35pm | |||
Played 11 I Won 9 I Lost 2 I Drew 0 I Points for 355 I Points Against 211
2018 POINTS SCORERS
| Name | Tries | Con | Pen | Total |
| Mitchell Hunt | 4 | 27 | 14 | 116 |
| Will Jordan | 9 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Andrew Makalio | 4 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Solomon Alaimalo | 4 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Tim O'Malley | 1 | 7 | 0 | 19 |
| David Havili | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Finlay Christie | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Tima Faingaanuku | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Quentin Strange | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Ethan Blackadder | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Levi Aumua | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Shannon Frizell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Pari Pari Parkinson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Tyrel Lomax | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Te Ahiwaru Crikidaveta | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
