Makos Emerging Players squad named
Kerehama Barrett in action during the Tasman Griffins versus Canterbury Maori rugby game last year.
As expected the Tasman Makos coach Kieran Keane has called upon players from the Nelson Bays and Marlborough club ranks in his Makos Emerging Players training squad, which was announced on Tuesday for the first of three preseason matches this season.
With six Makos among the Highlanders Super Rugby title winning campaign and 10 other Makos taking part in the five month Super Rugby season, reinforcements were always going to be needed for the Makos preseason opener against Manawatu in Palmerston North on Wednesday July 29.
The 25 strong training squad features 11 uncontracted players, but only one from the Marlborough club competition.
Andrew Goodman gets tackled by Liam Boshoff during the Nelson versus Marist rugby game at Tahunanui playing fields.
Moutere flanker Mike Curry will get a shot to impress at a higher level and push for a Makos contract. Currently 26 players have been signed up for the Makos' 2015 ITM Cup campaign and there are several spots still available, which Curry and 10 Nelson Bays based players named to the training squad will be hoping to fill.
Curry has been a standout in a Moutere team that has been up and down in 2015, but has regularly got good returns from their loose forward trios.
Among the Nelson contingent vying for Tasman contracts is former Makos captain and midfielder Andrew Goodman who last represented Tasman in 2012. Goodman spent two seasons plying his trade for Irish club Leinster, but suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament last year and is on the long road back from injury. The 32 year-old has been playing club rugby for the Nelson club as he aims to get his professional career back on track in his home town.
Forwards Nathan Baxter (Marist), Will Carrick-Smith (Stoke), Shannon Frizell (Marist), Tone Ng Shiu (Wanderers) and Ben Sadrugu (Kahurangi) have been rewarded for their strong form in club rugby, as have Stoke winger Kerehama Barrett, Waimea Old Boys inside backs James Lash and Rohan Saifoloi, and Wanderers second-five Trael Joass.
There are six Super XV players in the Makos 25-strong training squad for the warm up match; Crusaders Tim Perry, Kieron Fonotia, Billy Guyton and David Havili, plus Mitchell Scott of the Western Force, while prop Ross Geldenhuys is the only member of the Highlanders setup to get straight back into training with the Makos.
Highlanders Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Marty Banks and Kane Hames get a break following their long campaign, while their teammate in the south and Makos captain Shane Christie is with the Maori All Blacks team which will play matches on July 11 and 18.
Quentin MacDonald joins Christie in that squad, but brother and fellow Tasman hooker Jesse MacDonald has been included in the Makos early season training squad, as has fellow Central club player and recent Makos signing Jake Stafford-Wood.
Along with Jesse MacDonald, Siua Halanukonuka, Jeff Lepa, Villiami Lolohea, Robbie Malneek, Pete Samu and recent signings Alex Nankivell and Jake Stafford-Wood, plus the six Super Rugby players make up the 14 Makos contracted players for the Manawatu match.
Games against Otago, in Nelson on Saturday August 1, and Wellington, in Blenheim on Thursday August 6, round out the Makos preseason before the season proper kicks off Friday August 14 against Waikato in Hamilton.
Tasman Makos Emerging Players squad for warm up match against Manawatu in Palmerston North July 29
Forwards: Nathan Baxter (Marist), Will Carrick-Smith (Stoke), Michael Curry (Moutere), Shannon Frizell (Marist), Ross Geldenhuys (Waitohi/Highlanders), Siua Halanukonuka (Wanderers), Jeff Lepa (Waimea Old Boys), Jesse MacDonald (Central), Tone Ng Shiu (Wanderers), Tim Perry (Harlequins/Crusaders), Ben Sadrugu (Kahurangi), Pete Samu (Waimea Old Boys) and Jake Stafford Wood (Central).
Backs: Kerehama Barrett (Stoke), Kieron Fonotia (New Brighton/Crusaders), Andrew Goodman (Nelson), Billy Guyton (Waimea Old Boys/Crusaders), David Havili (Nelson/Crusaders), Trael Joass (Wanderers), James Lash (Waimea Old Boys), Villiami Lolohea (Waimea Old Boys), Robbie Malneek (Nelson), Alex Nankivell (Lincoln University), Rohan Saifoloi (Waimea Old Boys) and Mitchell Scott (Nelson).
- Stuff
