Tasman Mako names abound in Super Rugby squads

A swathe of Tasman Mako representatives have been included among the 12 squads named for the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season, which will include five teams from both New Zealand and Australia, plus new entrants Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua.

The 25 Tasman players involved are: Anton Segner, Finlay Christie and Mark Telea (Blues); Atu Moli and Alex Nankivell (Chiefs); Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes); Quinten Strange, Ethan Blackadder, Sione Havili Talitui, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan and Leicester Fainga’anuku (Crusaders); Andrew Makalio, Max Hicks, Hugh Renton, Shannon Frizell, Mitch Hunt and Fetuli Paea (Highlanders); Sam Moli, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Willie Havili, Levi Aumua and Timoci Tavatavanawai (Moana Pasifika); Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (Fijian Drua).

There are a few former Mako men who will be involved, the most notable being Marty Banks, who will vie with Mitch Hunt for the 10 jersey at the Highlanders.

A new player on the Super Rugby radar is lock/loosie Max Hicks, who has also been picked up by the Highlanders. Other rookies are loosie Anton Segner, who has been recruited by Leon MacDonald’s Blues, Willie Havili and Timoci Tavatavanawai, both set to play for Moana Pasifika, plus Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta who is with the Fijian Drua.

Among the 15 sets of brothers across the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Crusaders and Moana Pasifika squads will be Ofa and Isi Tu’ungafasi (Blues and Moana Pasifika), Tima and Leicester Fainga’anuku (Moana Pasifika & Crusaders) plus William and David Havili (Moana Pasifika & Crusaders).