Mako women's side named

Two Marlborough-based players have been included in the Tasman Mako women’s rugby squad for the 2023 Farah Palmer Cup squad.

Wairau duo, prop Raumati Rogers and outside back Fiaali’i Solomona were named in the 33-strong squad. Former Marlborough player Lesieli Taufa, now with Marist, also made the cut.

Four players from Christchurch’s Linwood club are also in the mix.

Tasman head coach Mel Bosman is very happy with the squad she was able to assemble.

“It is the first time in seven years, since the birth of this team, that we have had a lot of depth. We have got a very strong squad, which will give us a strong bench.”

Next weekend the squad travel to Waimate where they will play a “game of three halves” against Southland, Otago and Canterbury.

They go into a team building camp the following week before their FPC championship campaign begins on July 22 with a game against Otago in Nelson. The following week they play North Harbour, again at Trafalgar Park, then have two away matches against Taranaki and Manawatu before finishing round robin play against Northland in Blenheim on August 19.

The Mako women lost at the quarterfinal stage of the 2022 competition, but Mel is seeking improvement this time around.

“The main thing we are looking for is a mindset change … we got pipped at the post because our mindset just wasn’t quite right, so the players have worked really hard off season to put that right. If we can get that right there is no reason why we can’t go top two this year.”

Tasman Mako women 2023: Marama Elkington (Marist), Shevaun Collier (Marist), Manaia Ashley Ulutupu (Marist), Raumati Rogers (Wairau), Peleoaiga Loto (Linwood), Philomena Petaia (Linwood), Precious Auimatagi (Marist), Alicia San Martin Alonso (Waimea), Tanita Garnett (Kahurangi), Grace Guyton (Waimea), Brooklyn Logan (Waimea), Neve Anglesey (Waimea), Tamara Silcock (Marist), Sui Pauaraisa (Linwood), Luisa Tafia (Kahurangi), Jess Harvie (Waimea), Milli Mills (Marist), Lucy Brown (Kahurangi), Lucy Mahuika (Marist), Shelby Lin (Marist), Keeley Ridley (Waimea), Cassie Siataga (Linwood), Alma Ngametua (Marist), Ashleigh Wood (Kahurangi), Lesieli Taufa (Marist), Chloe Dixon (Kahurangi), Fiaali’i Solomona (Wairau), Sarah Jones Kahurangi), Amelia Hammet (Marist), Eve Findlay (Waimea), Bethan Manners (Waimea), Ashlee Forsyth (Waimea), Iva Sauvira (Marist). Coach Mel Bosman.

Wider training squad

Meanwhile, a wide selection of players from the Tasman club rugby scene have been chosen in the Mako men’s wider training squad.

Just three players from Marlborough-based sides, Quentin MacDonald from Central, Monu Moli from Moutere and Waitohi’s Tim O’Malley, have been included. Former MBC First XV standout in 2022, Cooper Roberts, now playing for the University club in Christchurch, also made the cut.

Mako wider training squad: Matt Graham Williams (Stoke), Ryan Coxon (Nelson), Quentin MacDonald (Central), Monu Moli (Moutere), Josh Te Hira (Kahurangi), Tom Thornalley (Marist), Sam Leibezeit (Stoke), Antonio Shalfoon (Stoke), Tim Sail (Kahurangi), Sitaleki Baker (Kahurangi), Matt Lowe (Nelson), Greg Foe (Nelson), Netani Baleisomosomo (Marist), Graham Urquhart (Nelson), Louie Chapman (Kahurangi), Mason Lund (Stoke), Stewart Cruden (Kahurangi), Tim O’Malley (Waitohi), Taine Robinson (Stoke), Colm Hogan (Stoke), Nic Sauira (Marist), Tim Sauira (Marist), Cooper Roberts (University, Canterbury).

In other news, five Tasman players were named on Sunday in the first All Blacks squad of the season. Forwards Tyrel Lomax and Shannon Frizell will join halfback Finlay Christie, winger Leicester Fainga’anuku and fullback Will Jordan in black.

Midfielder Alex Nankivell and lock Quinten Strange were named in the All Blacks XV to play a couple of games in Japan in July.

Four other Tasman players have been named in the Tongan international squad for the July internationals, offering them a chance to play their way into the side for the forthcoming World Cup. They are utility back William Havili, loosie Sione Havili Taletui, outside back Kyren Taumoefolau and hooker Sam Moli.

Tight forward Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta has been named in a 46-man Fijian squad to prepare for the World Cup.