Warren Gamble says:

for a mascot; it sounds like a flighty Spanish football player, and hardly evokes fear. Our mako mascot is so scary he doesn’t even have a name.

Admittedly, you won that final fair and square, (even if you needed a Nelson boy as captain) and it was a cracking game (apart from the result).

Two years later, it’s a semifinal and a whole different ball game with both teams markedly changed.

For Tasman, the waters are not so uncharted; in fact they will be sharkfriendly.

The Bull Ring is not so intimidating; the Makos have beaten the ‘Naki at home last year and in Nelson this year. No amber-and-black bogeymen there.

If you take Super Rugby experience, we have the edge. Flying James Lowe will be the arrow at Yarrow; in the battle of the Martys, Marty ‘‘money in the’’ Banks is a point-scoring machine even with one good hand.

Our forwards are as rugged as your mountain, and much more mobile.

Yes, you have Waisake Naholo back, but he is as enigmatic as a backstage gig at Womad. A Taranaki pack always demands respect, but the stats point to an even contest up front.

You have every right to be bullish, especially at home, but it’s time for the forces of light to prevail. The Makos will be the ones putting the fin into final.