Mako teams named for national campaigns

The Tasman men’s and women’s rugby sides to contest national championships in 2024 have been named.

The Mako men, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC competition by eventual winners Taranaki, have announced a 32-man squad.

It is based around a solid core of Super Rugby Pacific players, with an 18-14 forward/back split. Five members of the latest All Blacks squad are included, their availability for provincial rugby subject to international demands.

The squad is: Forwards - Fletcher Anderson (University - Canterbury), Netani Baleisomosomo (Marist), Ethan Blackadder (Nelson and All Blacks), Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (Stoke), Ryan Coxon (Nelson), Max Hicks (Central), Tyrel Lomax (Nelson and All Blacks), Quentin MacDonald (Central), Sam Matenga (Kahurangi), Monu Moli (Moutere), Sam Moli (Moutere), Viliami Napa’a (Waitohi), Isaac Salmon (Nelson), Antonio Shalfoon (Stoke), Kershawl Sykes-Martin (Nelson), Quinten Strange (Nelson), Braden Stewart (Central), Sione Havili Talitui (Wanderers). Backs – Levi Aumua (Kahurangi), Will Butler (College Rifles - Auckland), Louie Chapman (Kahurangi), Finlay Christie (Stoke), Jack Gray (Kahurangi), William Havili (Kahurangi), David Havili (Nelson and All Blacks), Noah Hotham (Melville and All Blacks), Will Jordan (Nelson and All Blacks), Campbell Parata (Waimea Old Boys), Taine Robinson (Stoke), Macca Springer (Waimea Old Boys), Kyren Taumoefolau (Waitohi), Timoci Tavatavanawai (Central).

Three players - Netani Baleisomosomo, Will Butler, and Kyren Taumoefolau - are uncapped.

Several Development players were also named at the same time. They are: Tayne Hemopo (Stoke), Johnny Lee (Lincoln - Canterbury), Hunter Leppien (Kahurangi), Joel Lauvale (Waimea Old Boys), Matt Lowe (Nelson), Mason Lund (Stoke), Sione Mafi (Stoke), Maloni Kunawave (Stoke), Cooper Grant (Marist), Cooper Roberts (University – Canterbury), Hugh Robinson (Burnside – Canterbury), Brodie Robinson (Kahurangi), Nic Sauira (Marist), Timi Sauira (Marist), Eli Oudenryn (Stoke).

The Mako have enjoyed a pre-season hit-out, downing Manawatu 50-21 in Wellington last Friday. They play their only other warm-up match, against Southland in Christchurch, on Friday.

Then it is on to the competition proper, their first opponent being Manawatu, this time in Palmerston North on Sunday, August 11, kick off 4.35pm.

Blenheim’s Lansdowne Park will host two Bunnings Warehouse NPC round-robin matches this season.

The Mako men will play the Bay of Plenty Steamers on Saturday, August 31, with a 7.05pm kick-off. The second match at Lansdowne Park is their clash with the Wellington Lions on Sunday, September 15, this time with a 2.05pm start.

Tasman women

The Tasman women have also named their squad for the forthcoming Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) competition.

Twelve players from the champion Marist club form the basis of the 34-woman combination, augmented by the usual complement of imported players.

The squad is: Forwards – Alisi Seigafo (Marist), Ashley Ulutupu (Marist), Avau Valentina Filimaua (Linwood – Canterbury), Brooklyn Logan (Waimea Old Boys), Cheyenne Galiki (Marist), Courtney Finau (Moutere), Emily O’Loughlin (Waimea Old Boys), Fiaali’i Solomona (Moutere), Grace Guyton (Waimea Old Boys), Jess Harvie (Waimea Old Boys), Jett Hayward (Kahurangi), Kolotita Lupeituu (Marist), Leah Ngawhika (Kahurangi), Lucy Crabbe (Linwood – Canterbury), Luisa Tafia (Kahurangi), Peleoaiga Loto (Linwood – Canterbury), Rocque White (Marist), Stephani Mitchell (Waimea Old Boys), Sui Pauaraisa (Linwood – Canterbury). Backs – Ashleigh Wood (Kahurangi), Chloe Dixon (Kahurangi), Iva Sauira (Marist), Jennifer Lama (Marist), Keeley Ridley (Linwood/Waimea Old Boys), Klaudia South (Marist/Linwood), Lesieli Taufa (Marist), Lucy Brown (Kahurangi), Lucy Mahuika (Marist), Maddison Reid (Moutere), Maiden Tupara (Moutere), Mary Kanace (Linwood – Canterbury), Michelle Curry (Marist), Sarah Jones (Kahurangi), Staci Kohe (Marist).

The Mako women had a pre-season hit-out against Canterbury in Christchurch on Saturday, going down 38-29.

Their first FPC championship game is against Wellington in Porirua on Saturday, August 10.

Local fans will have a chance to support the women when they play their fourth match at Lansdowne Park, against Manawatu, on Saturday, August 31.