NEWS BLOG

Tasman Buccaneers 26 (Tomas Aoake, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Isaiah Miller, Hugo Nankivell tries, Tim O’Malley con, Willie Havili 2 con) drew with Counties Manukau 26

A Tasman Buccaneers squad of 24 players has been named to play Counties-Manukau this Wednesday, 1.15pm at Mountford Park, Manurewa.

Tasman Mako High Performance XV: 1 Ryan Coxon, 2 Jesse MacDonald, 3 Blair Prinsep, 4 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidevita, 5 Mike Curry, 6 Jacob Norris, 7 Ant Burnett, 8 Hugo Nankivell; 9 Ben Finau, 10 Tim O’Malley, 11 Tima Faingaanuku, 12 Mike Vaeno, 13 Nick Foxley, 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 Fetuli Paea. Bench: Brendon Asomua-Goodman, Tim Perry, George Tuineau, Caleb Havili, Jordan Taufua, Nemia Kenatele, Willie Havili, Timoci Tavatavanawai.

Nelson Rugby Football Club members Ethan Blackadder,Tima Faingaanuku (on debut), David Havili, Quinten Strange and Wyatt Crockett featured in the Crusader's 34-20 win over the Chiefs.

The Test Tickets for the Nelson Test are not on sale yet (targeted public sale date is 19 June). If you register to become a member of Team All Blacksand join the waitlist under "Ticket Access", you will receive all the details about ticket prices, presales and general public on sale dates when they become available.

Debutantes Jordan Taufua & Shannon Frizell join current All Blacks Liam Squire (# 1151) & Tim Perry (# 1162) in the 33 man squad named to play France.

A replacement for departing Tasman Mako head coach Leon MacDonald could be confirmed by the end of next week – and the union believes they have a good man for the job.

Former Tasman Mako, Highlander and Maori All Black Shane Christie is set to kick-start his coaching career as he draws a close to his playing career. Christie has been side-lined since having concussion issues during 2016 and officially retired after receiving a medical report last week.

Crusaders flags were flying high at two Marlborough schools today as Quinten Strange and Andrew Makalio, along with Matt Todd, visited the top of the south as part of the Crusaders’ regional partnership with Christchurch-based civil construction company Isaac Construction.

Head coach Leon MacDonald, assistant coach Shane Christie, chief executive Tony Lewis and commercial manager Les Edwards spent five days in Melbourne last week to gain insights into the commercial, administrative and high-performance coaching operations from three of the city's big sporting brands.

The Mighty Mako will play five home games - two in Blenheim – Canterbury then Southland, then the First Ever All Blacks Test in our region, followed by three matches in Nelson – Taranaki, Counties Manukau & Hawkes Bay.