Battle of Trafalgar has home semifinal at stake
Saturday’s battle of Trafalgar may well decide the destination of the 2015 national provincial rugby championship.
Mainland rivals Tasman and Canterbury face off in Nelson sitting atop the premiership table, the red and blacks with 33 points, the Makos on 30. A win to either side will see them ideally placed, with one round remaining, to finish top of the round robin, earning the right to stage a home semifinal and final.
It’s drawing a long bow, but statistics show five out of the previous six NPC premiership and championship finals have been won by the home team.
Not that either side will be approaching Saturday’s match with full-blown confidence. Tasman have dropped their previous two matches, failing to register a bonus point in a 28-19 loss to Auckland and 42-33 reversal against Counties Manukau.
Canterbury have also been less than impressive. They were extremely fortunate to escape against Waikato with a 18-17 win, then were beaten 24-21 by Taranaki, their first loss of the season.
Tasman 38 Canterbury 10 (Christchurch); semi final Tasman 26 Canterbury 6 (Blenheim) 2013: Canterbury 28 Tasman 13 (Blenheim) 2012: Tasman 25 Canterbury 23 (Nelson) 2011: Canterbury 36 Tasman 32 (Blenheim) 2010: Tasman 27 Canterbury 25 (Nelson) 2009: Canterbury 25 Tasman 21 (Christchurch) 2008: Canterbury 44 Tasman 15 (Christchurch); quarterfinal Canterbury 48 Tasman 10 (Christchurch) 2007: Canterbury 21 Tasman 14 (Blenheim) Teams: Tasman Makos: Robbie Malneek, Viliamai Lolohea, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Kade Poki, Marty Banks, Billy
Consequently, both teams will front up at Trafalgar Park with the bitter taste of defeat fresh in their mouths, and eager to get their campaign back on track. Given the quality of the players, and their coaching staff, they will be well prepared and extremely motivated.
Makos’ head coach Kieran Keane has named what he calls the ‘‘strongest possible team in our eyes’’.
Changes from the previous week see Billy Guyton get the start at halfback, Liam Squire replace Vernon Fredericks at No 8 and a wholesale change in the front row – Siua Halanukonuka, Quentin MacDonald and Tim Perry returning at the expense of Kane Hames, Jesse MacDonald and Ross Geldenhuys, who will sit on the bench.
Despite recent setbacks, Keane said morale in the camp remained high. ‘‘We’ve had a good review of things. There are quite a few areas we have highlighted. It’s been a good week and it’s still continuing. We are not being shy on stripping it back.’’
Against Counties the Makos’ defence was repeatedly exposed, a situation the team are well aware of. ‘‘Unfortunately it’s not a situ- ation where I can take them back to [hard training on] Tahuna Beach, which I’ve done in the past,’’ said Keane. ‘‘While I might have felt like doing that, we haven’t. Everybody within the team and management has acknowledged those horrible [defensive] stats, so it is being addressed.’’
Canterbury had not announced their team at the time of publication but boast strength across the paddock, including former All Blacks Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Dominic Bird, Matt Todd, Ryan Crotty and Tom Taylor.
Keane respects his opposition’s strength and the threat they pose. ‘‘They are the top dogs now, still little brother/big brother as per usual, and it’s a challenge that this organisation always looks forward to. We’ll be up for this game, there’s no doubt about it.
‘‘We have just got to shift the momentum back to winning, if we are capable of that. Our opposition though are a class outfit, threats everywhere, so we are going to have to be on our best behaviour to get into the mix.’’
Guyton; Liam Squire, Shane Christie, Pete Samu, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Siua Halanukonuka, Quentin MacDonald, Tim Perry. Reserves: Jesse MacDonald, Kane Hames, Ross Geldenhuys, Marco Kotze, Vernon Fredericks; Jimmy Cowan, Trent Renata, Andrew Goodman. Canterbury (possible): Tom Taylor, Johnny McNicholl, Ryan Crotty, Rob Thompson, Patrick Osborne, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond; Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, Reed Prinsep, Dominic Bird, Mitchell Dunshea, Nepo Laulala, Ben Funnell, Joe Moody. Reserves: Ged Robinson, Alex Hodgman, Siate Tokolahi, Ben Matwijow, Tom Sanders, Jack Stratton, Cameron McIntyre, Marshall Suckling.