Mako women prepared for FPC kick off

Mel Bosman, the 2021 Tasman Mako women’s coach, has “reset the clock and started again” for this season’s Farah Palmer Cup competition.

Last year COVID issues saw the competition format altered to accommodate separate northern and southern competitions, throwing the Mako women in against some traditionally dominant provinces, such as Wellington, Canterbury and Otago.

Consequently, they struggled for positive results, losing all their five matches.

This year the FPC returns to a more familiar premiership and championship format, meaning Tasman are in the six-strong championship section with some of the so-called lesser lights - namely North Harbour, Taranaki, Northland, Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu.

However, those provinces still present very stiff opposition as Tasman endeavour to claw their way off the foot of the championship ladder.

Team management have decided to retain all the 35 players originally named in the squad for the duration of the FPC.

Mel explained the reasoning behind that was, “for the big picture, beyond my time with the team”.

“We feel we have a really good connection with all these players. Five are at the development stage but we want to keep them in the mix so we can give them as much upskilling as possible.

“We have had to change our vision as to how we coach in this region because we don’t have a lot of depth, so keeping the bigger squad is a stepping-stone to how we can create that depth we need and competition … which stops that self-entitlement in position … it’s just about keeping everyone honest. They are certainly challenging one another both on and off the field which is what you want as a coach.”

Helping the balance within the team is the arrival of six loan players from Canterbury - props Erana and Jamee Te Moananui, lock Marylynn Matagi, loosies Easter Savelio and Sui Pauaraisa, plus inside back Karla Wright-Akeli.

“The loan players bring experience of having played at a higher level than the Tasman region is yet to see,” said Mel, “my wish is that they grow our girls around them and our local players get to see and recognise what high-performance really looks like.”

The longest-serving member of the side is flanker Tamara Silcock, who has played every game for Tasman since their introduction. Jess Foster-Lawrence is another experienced hand, along with hooker Anna Bradley, both on 19 caps. Prop Kelly Collins [nee Couper] was another original Mako in 2017 and returns after maternity leave.

Another original, midfielder Sydnee Wilkins, returns from Manawatu this year, while outstanding outside back Rebecca Kersten is expected to make a welcome return during the FPC after missing the first few games with injury.

The Mako women have had a couple of hit-outs in preparation for their competition first match, against North Harbour in Auckland on Saturday, July 24.

Their opening encounter was against a Canterbury Development XV, which they lost 10-5, then they downed an East Coast Poverty Bay side 81-0.

Mel was happy with both performances, especially the way the side has come together despite having nine out-of-town players and 23 of the 35-strong squad being new to the Mako set-up.

“I have literally had to reset the clock with this team and started again,” said Mel, “the Canterbury game was the first they had come together so the focus was on connection rather than game plan, so a 10-5 loss was amazing given we usually get spanked by Canterbury Development in the past.

“That was a good start. Then we played East Coast-Poverty Bay, who hope to play FPC in the future, and we really started to gel. The structure that the team was able to pull out after only being together a week was pretty impressive.”

Mel admits to feeling “quite positive” leading into the start of competition.

“These pre-season games have shown that the local girls are ready to step up, and they have, even the young ones coming through. They are excited by the energy and intensity … no one has been left behind and it is quite tear-jerking to be honest.

“Performance will be what it will be, but if those girls can come off smiling instead of looking down and out week-in, week-out I’ll be one happy lady,” added Mel.

All the FPC games will be televised live on Sky TV.

The 2021 Mako squad: Amanda Sim, Anna Bradley, Meika Newman, Akita Kees, Erana Te Moananui, Jamee Te Moananui, Kelly Collins, Raumati Rogers, Jess Foster-Lawrence, Kate Silcock, Marylynn Matagi, Tanita Garnett, Easter Savelio, Jess Harvie, Kate Nightingale, Neve Anglesey, Sui Pauaraisa, Tamara Silcock, Demi Salton, Hannah Kelly, Keely-Mae Ridley, Aiesha Tepuia, Karla Wright-Akeli, Maiden Tupara, Jamie Paenga, Lesieli Taufa, Michelle Miller-Leef, Sophie Hart, Sydnee Wilkins, Wikura Kuka-O’Brien, Eleri James-Sitters, Eve Findlay, Fiaalii Solomona, Pippa Andrews, Rebecca Kersten.

Schedule

July 24 v North Harbour (away)

July 31 v Taranaki (away)

August 8 v Northland (Motueka)

August 14 v Hawke’s Bay (away)

August 22 v Manawatu (Nelson)