Cream of crop from clubs get chance to impress
Marlborough and Nelson club rugby players with an eye on Tasman Makos’ selection have been given a chance to strut their stuff in front of the selectors again this season.
Following the success of internal trials in 2016, two evenlybalanced Buccaneers and Musseleers squads have been selected to play each other on Wednesday, May 17, starting 7pm at Blenheim’s Lansdowne Park.
The Nelson-based Buccaneers side will be coached by Mike Fraser and Chris Binns while Mark Stewart and Glenn Blackmore will look after the Musseleers. Managing the respective sides will be Nathan Gargiulo (Buccaneers) and Donnie Barrett (Musseleers).
The teams contain several players who have already worn the Makos jersey, such as Ethan Blackadder, Pari Pari Parkinson, Jesse MacDonald, Vernon Fredericks and Tim O’Malley, plus a host of others who have put their hands up through strong performances in Tasman Trophy club play.
Last season, several club players forced their way into Makos’ contention with strong performances in the trial and the ensuing Makos warm-up games before the team’s Super Rugby players become available.
The Makos have pre-season games against Counties Manukau in Auckland on June 28, Manawatu in Palmerston North on August 2 and Wellington, in Seddon, on August 10.