Mako prevail in the 'Naki
Anton Segner had a top match against Taranaki today. Photo file
No Blackadder – no problem.
The Tasman Mako were undaunted by the late loss of their star flanker Ethan Blackadder as they notched up a pivotal 29-18 NPC rugby victory over the Taranaki Bulls in New Plymouth today.
The Mako made a late change to their advertised line-up, Max Hicks replacing loosie Ethan Blackadder, who jetted off to France to join the All Blacks’ campaign.
However, the disruption only served to spark up the Tasman side, fellow loosie Anton Segner stepping into the breach with a man-of-the-match effort as the Mako moved ahead of the Bulls on the table and set themselves up for a top four finish.
The first 40 minutes became an old-fashioned arm-wrestle, after which Tasman led 15-10.
The Bulls opened the scoring through a Stephen Perofeta penalty on the back of scrum dominance in the opening stages. However, Mako centre Levi Aumua crashed over in the 16thminute after a concerted period of pressure to put the visitors ahead 7-5 following Taine Robinson’s conversion.
Ten minutes later Taranaki had their first, mercurial first five Jayson Potroz picking up the scraps on the Tasman line to dot down after a thrilling back move. Perofeta converted to give the Bulls a 10-7 advantage, which was quickly wiped out when Robinson landed his second penalty.
A yellow card to Naki prop Jared Proffit allowed Tasman to finish the half strongly, an Anton Segner charge down setting up the chance for winger Timoci Tavatavanawai to surge over in the corner on the stroke of halftime.
They continued their momentum after the break, Aumua scoring his second after just three minutes, Robinson’s conversion pushing the visitors to a 12-point lead.
But the home side were always going to respond and they threw everything at Tasman for a prolonged period. Initially, heroic goal-line defence coupled with counter-rucking, rushed defence and breakdown accuracy denied Taranaki until the 60thminute, when, from long range, the Bulls found a gap in the Mako defence, creating the opportunity for former All Black Pita Gus Sowakula to dot down and bring his side back in the match.
A third Perofeta penalty closed the gap to 22-18 with 15 minutes remaining, exciting the home support, but then came the pivotal score.
Aumua crashed towards the line from a set move and appeared to be held up, offering Taranaki a turnover opportunity. However, he was strong enough to free the ball to the ever-present Segner who had a clear run to the line. Robinson’s conversion created an 11-point advantage, which held up to the final whistle, despite some desperate attack from Taranaki in the final minutes.
Alongside Segner, Hugh Renton, Quin Strange, Kershawl Sykes- Martin, Noah Hotham, Max Hicks, Tavatavanawai, Aumua and Will Gaulter were the pick of the Mako side.
Scores: Tasman 29 (Timoci Tavatavanawai, Levi Aumua 2, Anton Segner tries, Taine Robinson 3 con, pen) Taranaki 18 (Jayson Potroz, Peta Gus Sowakula tries, Stephen Perofeta 2 pen, con). HT: 15-10 Tasman