NEWS BLOG

The Mako team: 1 Wyatt Crockett, 2 Andrew Makalio, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 5 Quentin Strange, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Jed Brown, 8 Vernon Fredericks; 9 Jack Grooby, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 12 David Havili (captain), 13 Levi Aumua, 14 Jamie Spowart, 15 Will Jordan.
Reserves: Ray Niuia, Ryan Coxon, Blair Prinsep, Mike Curry, Sione Havili, Ben Finau, Tim O’Malley, Alex Nankivell.

Ahead of the team's first Mitre 10 Cup match against Canterbury, the 2018 Mako jersey was given an official blessing in the presence of Mako staff and players and representatives from all eight iwi from the top of the south.

The senior club rugby season has culminated with the awarding of the NPD Tasman Trophy Player of the Year to Mike Curry of Moutere. His excellent play throughout the season has resulted in his selection in the Tasman Mako wider training group.

David Havili will captain a powerful Tasman Mako squad in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup competition. Wyatt Crockett and Mitch Hunt are vice captains.

Wellington Lions 22 (Losi Filipo, Tuitama Malo, James O’Reilly, Du’Plessis Kirifi tries, TJ Va’a con) v Tasman Mako 19 (Jamie Spowart 2, Timoci Tavatavanawai tries, Tim O’Malley, Willie Havili cons). HT: 17-12 Wellington

Tickets are now on sale for the Tasman Mako home matches in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup. We kick off Friday week (17 August, 7.35pm) with a 2017 Premiership Final Replay against regional rivals Canterbury at Lansdowne Park, Blenheim.

The 2018 Mako women: Pippa Andrews, Leti Fotumoala, Hayley Hutana, Aieisha Tepuia, Kelly Couper, Kelly Stanford, Alexa Fraser, Ashleigh Nathan, Niska Scott (Moutere); Tessa Silcock, Katie Silcock, Dana Wilson, Staci Kohe, Michelle Curry, Tamara Silcock (Marist); Demi Salton, Anna Bradley, Stephani Mitchell, Louise Nalder, Juanita Thompson, Jess Foster-Lawrence (Waimea Old Boys; Peri Beech, Hannah Kelly, Erica Saunders, Rheanna Wood (Motueka HS); Crystal Hayes (Bay of Plenty). Three to be added. Coaches Marty O’Cain, Mark Kelly. Manager Koren Grason.

Tasman XV 47 (Tries to Caleb Havili, Will Jordan, James Hawkey, Nick Foxley, Willie Havili, penalty try, Jesse MacDonald, six conversions) Manawatu XV 15. HT 21-5.

A Tasman Mako High-Performance rugby squad has been chosen to prepare for Mitre 10 Cup pre-season matches against Manawatu and Wellington. The Manawatu game is scheduled for 11.30am on Friday, August 3, in Porirua, while the Wellington game will be played at the Renwick Domain on Thursday August 9, kick off 2pm.

Tasman Rugby and the Mako are really excited about the final preseason match which is set to be played in Renwick on Thursday August 9. The Renwick Rugby Club will be running the match day at the Renwick Recreation Reserve to raise funds which will go towards an upgrade to their floodlights.