Mako team to play Hawkes Bay named
Theirmission is clear. Beat the Hawke’s Bay Magpies at Trafalgar Park tonight andbook a home Mitre 10 Cup premiership semifinal.
BYPETER JONES [Marlborough App]
Fourpoints from their final round-robin game will guarantee the Tasman Mako hometown support as they bid for a place in their third consecutive NPC final.
However,with one of their long-term goals in sight, a series of untimely injuries haveconspired to put the Mako’s depth under late-season pressure.
Followingknocks sustained during their 41-27 victory over Otago on Sunday, lock QuintenStrange, open side flanker Jacob Norris and No 8 Taina Fox-Matamua, centre LeviAumua and skipper David Havili have been ruled out of tonight’s encounter.
Onthe plus side, veteran lock Alex Ainley, who has been battling injury since thebeginning of the campaign, is ready to resume battle, as is experienced No 7Jed Brown. Mike Curry comes back into the mix and will start in the No 8 role,a position he is familiar with through club play.
Thebackline has seen a major reshuffle. Finlay Christie regains the startinghalfback role, Tim O’Malley will wear the 12 shirt while Solomon Alaimalo, whomissed the Otago game, steps back in at centre. Tomas Aoake and TimaFaingaanuku return on the wings with hat-trick hero Will Jordan again atfullback. Isaac Salmon replaces Blair Prinsep in the forward reserves, whileRupena Parkinson joins Jack Grooby and Leicester Faingaanuku as back-up backs.
Theside will be led by Wyatt Crockett with Mitch Hunt as vice-captain.
CoachLeon MacDonald said the past few days had been hectic, with a short preparationtime and a run of niggling injuries causing uncertainty.
"It’sbeen a really frantic couple of days. The medical staff have been putting insome big hours and the players have been working hard to get their bodiesright.
"Butit’s straight back into the firing line with a lot to play for.”
Hawke’sBay are in a similar position to Tasman, needing a win to cement a homesemifinal in the championship division. This makes them a particularlydangerous proposition, particularly when they can boast players as skilled ashalfback Brad Weber and winger Jonah Lowe among their ranks.
"Theyhave plenty of threats throughout,” said MacDonald, "they have beenexceptional this year, especially through their lineout maul and theirdangerous back three.”
Ifthe Mako secure a home semifinal it will be played in Nelson. Should they reacha home final it will be staged in Blenheim.
Tasman: 1 Wyatt Crockett (captain), 2 Andrew Makalio, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4Pari Pari Parkinson, 5 Alex Ainley, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Jed Brown, 8 MikeCurry; 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 11 11 Tima Faingaanuku, 12 TimO’Malley, 13 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 WillJordan. Substitutes: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Isaac Salmon, 19 JohnAkauolo-Laula, 20 Braden Stewart, 21 Jack Grooby, 22 Rupena Parkinson, 23Leicester Faingaanuku.
Hawke’s Bay: 1 Jason Long, 2 Kianu Kereru-Symes,3 Joe Apikotoa, 4 Sam Ulufonua, 5 Mike Allardice, 6 Devan Flanders, 7 JoshKaifa, 8 Marino Mikaele Tu’u; 9 Brad Weber, 10 Stacy Ili, 11 Mike Buckley, 12Danny Toala, 13 Sasa Tofilau, 14 Jonah Lowe, 15 Jerry Taulagi. Substitutes:Pouri Rakete-Stones, Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe, Mark Braidwood, Tom Parsons, GeoffCridge, Folau Fakatava, Lincoln McClutchie, Mason Emerson.
Premiership table (as at October 11): Auckland41, Tasman 38, Canterbury 37, Wellington 29, North Harbour 29, Counties Manukau16, Taranaki 13.
