Mako team named for clash with Southland Stags

The return of several Super Rugby players is a feature of the Tasman Mako rugby team named to play Southland in Christchurch tomorrow.

This is the final pre-season game for the defending champs, who have previously played Cook Islands, NZ under-20 and Canterbury in warm-up clashes.

Highlanders Pari Pari Parkinson, Hugh Renton and Mitch Hunt, plus Crusaders Sione Havili Talitui and Leicester Fainga’anuku join the Mako mix a week out from the opening games in the Bunnings NPC competition. It will also be the first appearance since 2015 at this level for the vastly-experienced Tom Marshall, who will operate at fullback.

The Stags have built a strong squad during the off-season and will provide an ideal opportunity for Tasman to test their strength, iron out some problem areas and gain match fitness before their NPC premiership campaign begins on August 8 against last year’s semifinalists Bay of Plenty in Tauranga.

The Tasman team to play Southland in Christchurch tomorrow. 1 Isi Tu’ungafasi, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 6 Jacob Norris (vice-captain), 7 Sione Havili Talitui, 8 Hugh Renton, 9 Jack Grooby, 10 Mitch Hunt (captain), 11 Macca Springer, 12 Tim O’Malley (vice-captain), 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 15 Tom Marshall.

Bench: Sam Moli, Luca Inch, Isaac Salmon, Max Hicks, Anton Segner, Louie Chapman, Willie Havili, Apetone Vaka, Taine Robinson, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta,Taina Fox-Matamua. Kick off 1.30pm.

Meanwhile, during the week the Tasman Development squad for 2021 was named and featured several Marlborough-based players.

Central lock Jack Powell, Waitohi loosie Taine Cragg-Love and Renwick outside back Zac Harrison-Jones are included in the squad while Central No 8 Matt McCormick will join the team for pre-season Heartland matches.