Mako squad stacked with talent

The Tasman Mako men’s selectors yesterday unveiled a power-packed squad to tackle the 2025 Bunnings Warehouse NPC.

On paper, the 2025 crew have strength across all departments with 11 of the 16 backs and 10 of the 19-strong forward pack boasting 2025 Super Rugby Pacific experience.

NZ Sevens players Jack Gray and Tone Ng Shiu add to the potent mix, along with several members of the NZ Under-20 side which finished runner-up at the recent world champs, namely Cooper Roberts, Eli Oudenryn and Sione Mafi.

With so much Super Rugby talent on offer the Mako selectors have not had to dig too deep into the club talent pool, with only Central hooker Quentin MacDonald, Kahurangi winger Jack Gray, Nelson speedster Brodie Robinson, Kahurangi lock Hunter Leppien, Nelson prop Sione Mafi and Stoke hooker Eli Oudenryn featuring regularly in the Tasman Trophy competition.

Other features include the naming of former All Blacks Mitchell Drummond and Leicester Fainga’anuku.

Drummond, a standout at Nelson College, returns to his home town after making 102 appearances for Canterbury and will bring huge experience and depth the halfback mix.

Fainga’anuku, still only 25, another Nelson College product and former Crusader, returns from an 18-month stint in France, where he represented Toulon. He played 38 games for the Mako from 2018-23, scoring 21 tries so far.

Former All Blacks halfback Finlay Christie will lead the side and has a wealth of leadership experience alongside him to call on, especially in former captains David Havili and Quinten Strange.

He debuted for the province in 2016 and returns for his 10th season as the captain.

“I am just lucky to have an awesome leadership group around to guide me in the job,” declares the 29-year-old, who assumed that task late last season after Strange was injured in the Ranfurly Shield defence against Wellington.

“I have also had a few stints closing out the last 20 minutes of Blues matches.”

Strange, who had limited opportunities with the Crusaders this year, has stepped aside to concentrate on playing for the Mako before he departs to Japan at the end of the season.

Christie can’t wait to unleash the star-studded backline next month.

“There is talent all across the board. It is going to be a hell of a headache for the coaches picking the game day sides. I am glad I am not up in the office trying to decide that,” concludes the 61-game Mako.

The Mako are on the road to Christchurch this week for their only pre-season match against Southland tomorrow afternoon.

The Mako open their NPC season with a match against Bay of Plenty in Tauranga on Sunday August 3.

They play two games in Blenheim, against Auckland on Sunday, September 7 and Waikato on Saturday, September 20.

The 35-man Mako squad.

Backs: David Havili, Finlay Christie, Noah Hotham, Will Jordan, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Levi Aumua, William Havili, Taine Robinson, Macca Springer, Kyren Taumoefolau, Jack Gray, Mitchell Drummond, Harry Inch, Cooper Roberts, Brodie Robinson, Leicester Fainga’anuku.

Forwards: Tyrel Lomax, Ethan Blackadder, Fletcher Anderson, Ryan Coxon, Sione Havili Talitui, Sam Matenga, Quentin MacDonald, Monu Moli, Sam Moli, Antonio Shalfoon, Quinten Strange, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Eli Oudenryn, Sione Mafi, Hunter Leppien, Johnny Lee, Lopeti Faifua, Tomasi Maka, Tone Ng Shiu.

Coaches: Gray Cornelius, Hoani MacDonald, Aaron Dundon and Tom Marshall.

Five of the Mako players are uncapped - Maka, Faifua, Inch, Robinson and Drummond.

Several development players have also been named. They are: Joseph Domoni, Fanua Fa’avae, Oliver Gibbons, Cooper Grant, Quinn Harrison-Jones, Tayne Hemopo, Tom Heywood, Maloni Kunawave, Matt Lowe, Mason Lund, Norman Palu, Nic Sauira, Saumaki Saumaki, Samuela Takapu and Josh Te Hira.