Alaalatoa props up shield bid
Manawatu¯ and Crusaders prop Michael Alaalatoa has timed his return for the Turbos’ Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki tonight.
He said the week off following the Super Rugby final had given him a chance to freshen up.
‘‘I didn’t want to come in too fatigued,’’ he said.
He is a big gain for Manawatu¯ , 132 kilograms on the tighthead side.
Alaalatoa ranks among the top half-dozen tighthead props in New Zealand so it was a giant relief for Manawatu¯ that none of the three nations for which he is eligible — Australia, New Zealand or Samoa — have yet called.
Already the Turbos have four All Blacks, with one, wing Nehe Milnerskudder, returning from Auckland on Wednesday to play for the shield at New Plymouth. He will be tasked with containing Fijian battlewagon Seta Tamanivalu.
Alaalatoa might be on the cusp of emulating his Wallaby brother Allan.
‘‘I’ve had a bit of contact but I’m not really worried about that,’’ Michael said. ‘‘I haven’t been picked and all I’m worried about is putting my best foot forward.’’
The 26-year-old Sydneysider has been with the Turbos for three years so is now a New Zealand resident. He has signed with the Crusaders for two more seasons and is expected to stay with Manawatu¯ beyond 2018.
Manawatu¯ brought him from the NSW Waratahs’ fringe in 2015, which led to tertiary rugby education with the Crusaders, where he sits behind All Blacks prop Owen Franks.
‘‘For the past two years he has taken me under his wing.’’
Alaalatoa says he has matured greatly since arriving at Manawatu¯ .
‘‘At the time I wasn’t good enough and coming here gave me the fresh change I needed.
‘‘This is pretty much my home. This team gave me the opportunity to push on in my career.’’
Meanwhile, last year on a Wednesday night, Taranaki were up 27-6 early en-route to denying Manawatu¯ the Ranfurly Shield, winning 46-25. Alaalatoa recalled being yellow-carded for playing the ball on the ground when the Turbos were only one point in arrears and Taranaki scored two tries while he was in the cooler.
‘‘That was pretty disappointing. Last year’s game was at a different time of the season and it was a mustwin game for us.
‘‘Taranaki had just won the shield [from Canterbury], which put pressure on us.’’
This year Taranaki have defended it against Poverty Bay and Whanganui, but Manawatu¯ have been their sole Mitre 10 Cup challenger in two seasons.
Meanwhile, Turbos first-five Jade Te Rure battled with his line-kicking against Waikato and has been benched, giving Sam Malcolm only his second start in 11 outings.
The in-form Hamish Northcott had pushed Lifeimi Mafi to the reserves, but Mafi’s ankle strain has ruled him out, while Rob Thompson should be more comfortable at centre. Lock Brad Tucker, who played for Taranaki last year, replaces the suspended Liam Hallam-eames.
Into the reserves come Auckland lock Samuel Slade, Kia Toa loose forward Jackson Iose, prop Sione Asi and utility James Tofa.
Out with a knee injury is No 8 Sam Wasley.
This looks a solid Manawatu¯ team, assuming they start well, make their tackles and refrain from over-cooking their kicks, the template from the infallible opening 25 minutes against Hawke’s Bay at Napier two weeks ago.
Taranaki, however, have been stung by their 30-10 loss to Bay of Plenty at Rotorua last weekend.