Familiar look to 2022 Mako squad
There is a familiar look to the 2022 Tasman Mako men’s rugby squad, which was named on Sunday for the forthcoming Bunnings NPC season.
Their first outing is against Southland in Blenheim on Sunday August 7 at 2.05pm.
A squad of 32 has been announced for the demanding campaign, containing plenty of well-known faces, most of whom took part in the COVID-blighted 2021 campaign, when Tasman finished runner-up to Waikato.
However, there is room for a couple of players new to regular provincial play, such as prop Matt Graham-Williams, outside back Tomasi Alosio and halfback Noah Hotham.
The forward pack looks formidable and well balanced, being packed with Super Rugby players, including former All Blacks Atu Moli and Tyrel Lomax. The loss of Jacob Norris and Taina Fox-Matamua is balanced by a powerful loose forward mix, all current Super Rugby players.
There is a less seasoned look to the outside and inside back selections, especially with the likes of Finlay Christie, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan on All Black duty. Also absent this year are the experienced duo of inside back Tim O’Malley and winger Mark Telea.
Young guns Louie Chapman and Hotham will share the nine jersey while Timoci Tavatavanawai is the most destructive of the outsides.
The midfield stocks are solid with NZ Maori player Alex Nankivell being joined by Levi Aumua, who enjoyed a top Super Rugby season with the Moana Pasifika crew, and Highlander Fetuli Paea.
Tasman Mako 2022
Hookers: Andrew Makalio, Samiuela Moli, Quentin MacDonald
Props: Atunaisa Moli, Isieli Tu’ungufasi, Isaac Salmon, Samuel Matenga, Ryan Coxon, Luca Inch, Tyrel Lomax, Matt Graham-Williams
Locks: Pari Pari Parkinson, Quinten Strange (co-captain), Antonio Shalfoon, Mahonri Ngakuru
Loose Forwards: Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Anton Segner, Hugh Renton, Max Hicks, Sione Havili Talitui
Halfbacks: Louie Chapman, Noah Hotham
First fives: Mitch Hunt (co-captain), Campbell Morgan-Parata, William Havili
Midfield: Alex Nankivell, Levi Aumua, Fetuli Paea
Outside Backs: Timoci Tavatavanawai, Taine Robinson, Macca Springer, Tomasi Alosio
Development Squad: Netani Baleisomosomo, Nikola Vikena, Monu Moli, Graham Urquhart, Taya Brown, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Braden Stewart, Angus Fletcher, Viliami Napa’a, Noah Foster
All Blacks: Shannon Frizell, David Havili, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Finlay Christie, Leicester Fainga’anuku
Injured: Ethan Blackadder
Tasman women
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Tasman Mako women got their 2022 Farah Palmer Cup campaign off to a promising start in Whangarei.
Although they went down 29-10 to the hosts, the Northland Kauri, the Mako showed enough to suggest they will quickly gel into a strong unit.
Two first half tries pushed the hosts to a 12-0 halftime lead.
First five Cassie Siataga, the most impressive of the Mako backline landed a penalty to bring the visitors back into the game, however two more Northland tries stretched their lead to 24-3.
Again, it was Siataga who gave the Mako late hope, scoring a superb solo try to close the gap once more. Bethan Manners slotted the conversion to reduce the margin to 24-10 before a last-minute touchdown to the Kauri inflated it once more.
Impressive for the Tasman side were stalwart Tamara Silcock, in her 30th appearance, fellow loosie Sui Pauaraisa, halfback Hannah Kelly and left wing Becky Davidson.
The next game for the Mako is against Taranaki in Nelson on Saturday, July 30.
On Friday the Tasman Mako development side were well beaten by their Canterbury counterparts in Hanmer, going down 69-7.
College rugby
The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV are on track for the second tier play-offs in the Miles Toyota championship.
On Saturday they downed Waimea Combined 36-17 at Waimea College.
MBC, who led 22-0 at the break, scored six tries, three of them to fullback Cooper Roberts.
Hugh Robinson, Tim Petrie and Senetenari Ponesi score the others, while Robinson slotted three conversions.
MBC lie eight on the table and are in a battle for top eight placings with just one more game to play, against Selwyn Combined in Blenheim on Saturday. MBC were set to play Ashburton Combined in the last round, but that side has withdrawn from the competition.
Competition table: St Thomas’s 45, Nelson 44, St Bede’s 42, Christchurch 39, Timaru 32, Shirley 27, St Andrews 26, MBC 25, Christ’s 24, Selwyn 16, Roncalli 8, Rangiora 6, Waimea 5.