2019 Mitre 10 Cup

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Captain: David Havili

Co-Head Coaches: Andrew Goodman, Clarke Dermody

Asst. Coaches: Shane Christie, Gray Cornelius

Manager: Martyn Vercoe

After just 14 seasons, the Tasman Mako have reached the pinnacle of New Zealand provincial rugby.

The Premiership final victory must rank as the finest day for rugby at the top of the South Island since Marlborough stunned the nation with the 1973 Ranfurly Shield upset of Canterbury.

The Mako had been knocking at the door since their 2013 Championship victory and had contested three Premiership finals before 2019. In 2011 they were last in the Championship, and thus ranked 14th of the top tier unions.

The manner in which they went 10–0 through the regular season and then ground out their playoff victories showed a team that was adaptable to all conditions and opponents to produce the first unbeaten season since Auckland in 2007.

In scoring 62 tries, 17 more than in 2018, the Mako could hurt you in several ways, be it a kick-pass from Mitch Hunt, a lineout drive or a slick backline move. But it was the parsimonious defence, organised by assistant coach Shane Christie, that was most telling. Conceding just 14 tries in 12 games, with an average winning score of 37–11, told of a tight group that played for each other and trusted the systems.

Tasman sounded an early warning to the competition with a 45–8 demolition of Wellington, and thereafter, barring the tight wins over North Harbour and Waikato, was untroubled, scoring tryscoring bonus points in all bar two games. Especially impressive was the 23–8 defeat to Canterbury in Christchurch, and the shutouts of Counties Manukau and Auckland.

The latter bounced back with a committed display in the semifinal, but the Mako, superbly led by David Havili, scored the points when they mattered.

In the final, they were always one step ahead of a competitive Wellington but relied on a Will Jordan double and Mitch Hunt’s accuracy off the tee to seal the triumph.

Pre-season gains included Atu Moli coming home from Waikato, though his All Blacks duties meant he appeared just once, and Australian hooker Hugh Roach, who offered immense value off the bench, and four tries. Joe Wheeler was back from Japan, but was injured, as was Kane Hames, who found a home in the TV commentary box.

Losses included Alex Ainley (Bay of Plenty), Solomon Alaimalo (Waikato), Jed Brown (Japan) and Ray Niuia (Samoa RWC).

Havili was used almost exclusively at fullback, shifting back from the midfield, and continued his Crusaders’ form with dangerous counter-attacking and astute decision-making.

Will Jordan was pushed to the right wing and scored seven tries, while Leicester Faingaanuku equalled that on the other wing. A player of the ilk of Jamie Spowart, who scored four tries, hardly got a look in.
Centre Fetuli Paea was promoted after being the Tasman club player of the year with Waitohi. His impact off the bench was telling, especially in the playoffs, and he won a Super Rugby contract. Alex Nankivell was an under-rated second five, always straightening the attack and breaking the line in time of need.

Hunt played consistently well in the No 10 jersey and scored 102 points, while his halfback Finlay Christie gave him slick service and ran incisively.

The Mako enjoyed enviable depth in the loose trio. Liam Squire was at his bruising best in either the No 8 or No 6 jersey, while Jordan Taufua, who opted not to play for Manu Samoa at Rugby World Cup, signed off his Tasman days with a typically all-action campaign.

Sione Havili offered a good foil on the openside flank, as did indefatigable Ethan Blackadder on the blind. It was noticeable that, after he left injured during the semifinal, the pack was not as dominant.

Shannon Frizell was used mostly at lock before his RWC call-up. The Quinten Strange-Paripari Parkinson combination continues to grow.
The Mako used seven props, all of whom added to the solid scrum. Tyrel Lomax was again to the fore on the tighthead side. Wyatt Crockett’s long career ended in glory.

Andrew Makalio again played a prominent role and was one of the best hookers in the Mitre 10 Cup

Higher honours went to:

New Zealand: Shannon Frizell, Atunaisa Moli.
New Zealand Maori: Tyrel Lomax, Alex Nankivell, Pari Pari Parkinson
New Zealand Under 20: Leicester Fainga’anuku.
New Zealand Sevens: Tone Ng Shiu.

(Source - 2020 Rugby Almanack)

Team Awards went to:

Defender of the Year – Ethan Blackadder
Rookie of the Year – Fetuli Paea
Player of the Year – Jordan Taufua
Mako Man of the Year – David Havili

Tasman Makos 2019 NPC draw.

Home GameTickets
1	Wellington	Blenheim	Sat 10 Aug, 2.05pm		W 45 - 8
2	Canterbury	Christchurch	Sun 18 Aug, 2.05pm		W 23 - 8
3	Manawatu	Blenheim	Sat 24 Aug, 2.35pm		W 64 - 3
4	Taranaki	New Plymouth	Sun 1 Sep, 4.35pm		W 28 -18
5	Counties Manukau	Pukekohe	Fri 6 Sep, 7.45pm		W 36 - 0
6	North Harbour	Nelson	Sun 15 Sep, 4:35pm		W 21 - 17
7	Waikato	Hamilton	Sat 21 Sep, 2.35pm		W 35 - 26
8	Auckland	Nelson	Fri 27 Sep, 7.35pm		W 40 - 0
9	Northland	Nelson	Sun 6 Oct, 2.05pm		W 52 - 6
10	Hawke's Bay	Napier	Sat 12 Oct, 2.35pm		W 47 - 28
11	Semi - Auckland	Blenheim	Sat 19 Oct, 2.05pm		W 18 - 9
12	Final - Wellington	Nelson	Sat 26 Oct, 6.05pm		W 31 - 14

Played 12 I Won 12 I Lost 0 I Drew 0 I Points for 440 I Points Against 137

Game 1 [W] – Sat 10 Aug, 2.05pm—v Wellington — Blenheim

Tasman 45 (Leicester Fainga’anuku 2, Liam Squire, Andrew Makalio, Tyrel Lomax, David Havili, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta tries; Mitch Hunt 5 con) v Wellington 8 (). HT: 26-3

Game 2 [W] – Sat 18 Aug, 2.05pm—v Canterbury — Christchurch

Canterbury 8 () v Tasman 23 (Levi Aumua, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Andrew Makalio tries; Mitch Hunt con, 2 pen). HT 3-18

Game 3 [W] – Sat 24 Aug, 2.35pm—v Manawatu — Blenheim

Tasman 64 (Jamie Spowart 3, Liam Squire, Hugh Roach, Jordan Taufua, Finlay Christie, Jacob Norris, Will Jordan, Ethan Blackadder tries; Mitchell Hunt 4 con, Tim O’Malley 3 con) v Manawatu 3 (). HT: 33-3

Game 4 [W] – Sun 1 Sep, 4.35pm – v Taranaki – New Plymouth

Taranaki 18 () v Tasman 28 (Tima Fainga’anuku 2, Andrew Makalio, Finlay Christie tries, Mitch Hunt con, 2 pen). HT: 6-18

Game 5 [W] - Fri 6 Sep, 7.45pm—v Counties-Manukau — Pukekohe

Counties-Manukau 0 v Tasman 36 (Will Jordan 2, Levi Aumua, Samiuela Moli, Leicester Fainga’anuku tries, Mitch Hunt 3 con, pen, Tim O’Malley con) v. HT: 0-24

Game 6 [W] – Sun 15 Sep, 4.35pm—v North Harbour — Nelson

Tasman 21 (Finlay Christie, Sione Havili tries, Tim O’Malley 2 con, penalty try/con) v North Harbour 17 (). HT: 7-17

Game 7 [W] – Sat 21 Sep, 2.35pm—v Waikato — Hamilton

Waikato 26 () v Tasman 35 (Hugh Roach, David Havili, Ethan Blackadder, Wyatt Crocket tries; Tim O’Malley con, pen, David Havili 2 con, 2 pen). HT: 23-15

Game 8 [W] – Fri 27 Sep, 7.35pm—v Auckland — Nelson

Tasman Mako 40 (Ethan Blackadder 2, Andrew Makalio, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Finlay Christie, Hugh Roach tries, Mitch Hunt 5 con), Auckland 0. HT: 19-0

Game 9 [W] - Sun 6 Oct, 2.05pm – v Northland - Nelson

Tasman 52 (Will Jordan 2, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Sione Havili, Jamie Spowart, Wyatt Crockett, Tim O’Malley, Taina Fox-Matamua tries, Hunt 6 con) v Northland 6 (). HT 19-6.

Game 10 [W] – Sat 12 Oct, 2.35pm—v Hawke’s Bay — Napier

Hawke's Bay 28 () v Tasman 47 (Leicester Fainga’anuku 2, Sione Havili, Tima Fainga’anuku, Mitch Hunt, Alex Nankivell, Hugh Roach tries; Mitch Hunt 4 con, David Havili 2 con). HT: 14-19

Game 11 – [W] Sat 19 Oct, 2.05pm – Semi Final – v Auckland - Blenheim

Tasman 18 (Quinten Strange, Alex Nankivell tries, Mitch Hunt con, 2 pen) v Auckland 9 (). HT: 6-3.

Game 12 – [W] Sat 26 Oct, 6.05pm –Final – v Wellington - Nelson

Tasman 31 (Will Jordan 2, David Havili tries, Mitch Hunt 2 con, 4 pen) v Wellington 14 (). HT: 23-14.

2019 POINTS SCORERS

Name	Tries	Con	Pen	Total
Mitch Hunt	1	32	11	102
Will Jordan	7	0	0	35
Leicester Faingaanuku	7	0	0	35
David Havili	3	4	2	29
Tim O'Malley	1	7	1	22
Finlay Christie	4	0	0	20
Andrew Makalio	4	0	0	20
Ethan Blackadder	4	0	0	20
Jamie Spowart	4	0	0	20