Makos fast becoming one of the ‘big boys’
OPINION: Newcomers Tasman have been hammering on the door of the ‘‘Major Provincial Rugby Unions Club’’ for some time now.
After reaching their sixth semifinal in the same number of years, that door is beginning to swing open.
In just their 12th season, the Makos have established themselves as a provincial powerhouse, now producing All Blacks, a wealth of Super Rugby players and, most importantly, consistent NPC results.
Among Tasman’s six wins so far this season are victories over such traditionally strong unions as Auckland, Wellington, Waikato and Otago - a quartet of triumphs that would once have been the stuff of dreams.
This year it has earned the newest kids on the NPC block a coveted premiership playoff position, with either Taranaki or Canterbury lying in wait.
Who Tasman play on October 21 will be decided during the final round of action next weekend.
The Makos travel to Pukekohe to take on Counties Manukau on Saturday, with an opportunity to pinch the third qualifying spot from North Harbour, who play Taranaki on Sunday. If Tasman can move ahead of Harbour the potential is there for the final to be hosted in the top of the south, providing both the third and fourth qualifiers win their semis.
On Sunday, Tasman became the first team this season to produce back-to back wins across their double header weekend.
Only a team with belief and depth can put in that sort of shift.
Coaches Leon MacDonald, Leo Crowley and Greg Somerville have been instrumental in producing both. The Makos have come a very long way from the disjointed outfit that were whitewashed by Canterbury at home in the first round. Now there is trust among the group. Players are able to concentrate on their own job, secure in the knowledge their mates will do their bit, especially on defence, a feature of their wins over North Harbour and Auckland.
The depth has been created by shrewd recruitment, including luring blockbusting centre Levi Aumua and former Aussie schools prop Tyrel Lomax out of Australia. The signing of exciting fullback Will Jordan from Canterbury is another example.
However, the creation of depth is not just about hiring top players, it is also about getting the best out of the local crew, the rise and rise of lock Shannon Frizell a case in point. He and fellow lock Pari Pari Parkinson were outstanding against Auckland, energising the tight five. The improvement in club players such as prop Isaac Salmon, midfielders James Hawkey and Trael Joass, flankers Tone Ng Shiu and Braden Stewart, plus first five Tim O’Malley has also meant when the Makos’ coaches go to the bench they have no fears.
Another local hero, halfback Billy Guyton, celebrated his 50th game on Sunday with a typically whole-hearted display. His passing, ball control at the breakdown and option-taking were instrumental in bringing his side back into the game after the Aucklanders had made a blazing start, while his reliable goalkicking ensured Tasman got full value for their efforts.
Despite Canterbury’s early dominance, Taranaki’s shieldwinning heroics on Friday and Harbour’s improved consistency, the Mitre 10 Cup premiership battle appears wide open.
Although head coach MacDonald suggested his side had been ‘‘slipping under the radar’’ in recent weeks, their recent record will ensure they can never be taken lightly come playoff time.