Tasman women ready to rumble, Mako men make changes

The Tasman women’s rugby selectors have named their squad to contest the 2025 Farah Palmer championship.

And they are straight into action, the Mako women kicking off their campaign against Wellington Pride at Trafalgar Park on Saturday, starting at 2.05pm.

Head coach La Toya Mason says the squad possesses a lot of new faces. The selectors have adopted a more local focus this season, after using several imports over previous campaigns, “ensuring there is a pathway in this region”, said La Toya.

“We are backing our local talent,” she added. “Now it is over to them. If they have the self-belief, we have trust in them.”

With 11 uncapped players among their ranks, the Mako are something of an unknown quantity, however La Toya says they are aiming for at least a top four finish although, like every side in the competition, they are setting out to win it.

They will be relying heavily on some of the senior players to show the way. They include skipper and experienced front rower Stephani Mitchell, halfback Lucy Brown, hooker Jett Hayward, midfielder Chloe Dixon, plus Tanita Garnett and Bethan Manners who return after injury breaks.

“There is a really exciting vibe around this group,” says La Toya. “We have had some warm up games … we played in Hanmer and then in Christchurch in a game of three halves against Otago and Southland.

“With club play being limited this year we have certainly needed those games to get ready.”

The only Marlborough-based player in the side is flanker Courtney Finau, from the Moutere club, although midfielder Lesieli Taufa previously played on this side of the hill.

The squad is:

Forwards: April Hurley, Ava McDougall, Barbra Taumoli, Brooklyn Logan, Carlee Prince, Cheyenne Galiki, Courtney Finau, Emily O’Loughlin, Fai Auimatagi, Jett Hayward, Kolotita Lupeituu, Leah Ngawhika, Luisa Tafia, Lyric Siaki, Momo Garnett, Rocque White, Shevaun Collier, Sophie Pemberton, Stephani Mitchell (captain) and Tanita Garnett.

Backs: Ashleigh Wood, Bethan Manners, Chloe Dixon, Iva Sauira, Jemima Daniels, Keeley Ridley, Kim Lammers, Lesieli Taufa, Lucy Brown, Samara Bright and Tayla Richards.

Mako men

Meanwhile the Mako men have made several changes to their run-on side for their match against Manawatu on Saturday, kick-off 4.35pm.

After being well beaten, 37-7, by Bay of Plenty in the first round, Tasman will be particularly motivated to get their campaign up and running, especially in front of their home fans.

Biggest change in the match day XV is the return of former All Black Leicester Fainga’anuku, who replaces Timoci Tavatavanawai on the right wing. Cooper Grant will wear the 10 jersey with William Havili replacing Kyren Taumoefolau at fullback.

The Mako men’s team is: 1 – Ryan Coxon, 2 – Eli Oudenryn, 3 – Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 4 – Quentin Strange, 4 – Lopeti Faifua, 6 – Johnny Lee, 7 – Ethan Blackadder, 8 – Fletcher Anderson, 9 – Mitchell Drummond, 10 – Cooper Grant, 11 – Macca Springer, 12 – David Havili, 13 – Levi Aumua, 14 – Leicester Fainga’anuku, 15 – William Havili.

The reserves are: 16 – Tomasi Maka, 17 – Monu Moli, 18 – Sam Matenga, 19 - Hunter Leppien, 20 – Tayne Hemopo, 21 – Mason Lund, 22 – Kyren Taumoefolau, 23 – Tone Ng Shiu.