Mako name strong combination for Otago match

The Tasman Mako men's side will field arguably the strongest lineup of their season against Otago at Trafalgar Park on Saturday evening.

Into the team which beat North Harbour last weekend come All Blacks Timoci Tavatavanawai and Leicester Fainga’anuku, replacing Cooper Roberts and Levi Aumua in the midfield. NZ Sevens player Jack Gray comes in on the left wing for Macca Springer.

Fletcher Anderson is back from injury at No 8, as is Antonio Shalfoon at lock while Eli Oudenryn reclaims the starting hooker’s jersey.

Young prop Sione Mafi comes onto the bench.

The team is: 1 – Ryan Coxon, 2 – Eli Oudenryn, 3 – Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 4 – Quinten Strange, 5 – Antonio Shalfoon, 6 – Ethan Blackadder, 7 – Sione Havili Talitui, 8 – Fletcher Anderson; 9 – Mitchell Drummond, 10 – William Havili, 11 – Jack Gray, 12 – Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13 – Leicester Faininga’anuku, 14 – Kyren Taumoefolau, 15 – David Havili (captain). Reserves: 16 – Tomasi Maka, 17 – Tom Heywood, 18 – Sione Mafi, 19 – Hunter Leppien, 20 – Lopeti Faifua, 21 – Jay Renton, 22 – Cooper Grant, 23 – Cooper Roberts.

The match kicks off at 7.10pm.