OPINION:
Taranaki’s ‘bully boy’ tactics unable to intimidate Mako
By Peter Jones
[Marlborough App]
At halftime in Sunday’s Tasman v Taranaki match-up at the Bullring
in New Plymouth one of the ‘Naki coaching staff let slip that the home side had
talked before the game of “being the bully”.
And it was clear from the outset that the Amber and Blacks, renowned
for their uncompromising forward play, were intent on “bullying” their
high-flying opponents from the top of the south.
To some extent it worked, Taranaki bringing early intensity at the
breakdown and ferocity in defence.
However, that sort of effort takes its toll
and, if their rivals are patient, as Tasman generally were, they can absorb the
pressure and find other ways to unlock the defence.
Mitchell Hunt’s pinpoint cross kicks created two superbly-executed
Mako tries, the other pair of touchdowns coming through relentless
close-quarter play, achieved when the opposition were fatigued from tackling
themselves into the ground.
When the final whistle sounded there was only one “bully” left
standing tall at Yarrow Stadium.
There is plenty to like about this Mako side, who now lead the
premiership by five points. One is their ability to adapt the way they attack
to what their opposition bring, another is their willingness to use the ball
from all areas of the ground, and at a pace that very few teams can live with.
With this approach, mistakes are bound to occur. After all bodies
are moving onto the ball at maximum speed and close to the tackle line.
That’s where the other integral part of the Mako game comes in.
Their defence is well-organised, desperate and hard-hitting. And that occurs
right across the park, making them a tough proposition to tip over, as a
gallant but ultimately out-gunned Taranaki side found out.
Tasman co-head coach Andrew Goodman said his side knew the home
side were going to bring a physical approach to the table.
“We could probably have adjusted a little earlier with our body
height … but when we got that right we got some good go-forward ball and were
able to exploit a bit of space.
“They were definitely strong around the breakdown area, threw some
numbers in and slowed out ball down.”
Goodman felt the physicality of the match, and the way they had
dealt with it would benefit the Mako going into their next match, against
Counties Manukau, another team renowned for their robust approach, on Friday.
“[This game’s] given us some areas we need to tidy up before then
so we can get the speed of ball that we like to play with.”
With a short turnaround before the Mako’s next game, recovery is
paramount and injuries, especially in key positions, can slow momentum. Goodman
said immediately after the match he hadn’t ascertained the extent of the knock
to prop Tyrel Lomax that saw him leave the field early in the first half.
“Fingers crossed he’s not too bad, but it was great to see Crocky
[Wyatt Crockett] get through 40 on his return to play and it seems everyone
else got through pretty well although there will be some sore bodies no
doubt.”
A major plus for the Mako on Sunday came at lineout time where
they stole a high percentage of their rival’s throws, curtailing their
attacking ambitions.
“The boys have done a lot of hard work on our lineout defence,”
said Goodman, “it’s always rewarding when something like that pays off.”
Another feature of Tasman’s efforts so far has been the positive
way they have approached all aspects of the game, taking the opportunity to
express themselves in what Goodman describes as “the Mako way”.
After picking up maximum points from probably their toughest
examination of the current campaign, sorry about that Canterbury, it seems that
is definitely the right way to go.