Mighty Mako men get snappy
As they prepare to circle the water for their first home game, some of the new Mako men can’t wait to show their teeth.
Ahead of their first Mitre 10 Cup match for the season, against Canterbury, the Tasman Mako gathered at Mako HQ on Monday for the team’s official photo shoot.
With a balance of new blood and experience in this year’s squad, the occasion was as much an opportunity for established players to switch on to the upcoming provincial campaign as it was for bringing the new guys up to speed.
Just a week into his Mako tenure, new recruit Solomon Alaimalo said he quickly felt at home in his new environment.
The weather is a bit colder than what the former Northland player is used to, but he said living by the beach had eased any winter blues.
Having already played alongside several Mako at the Chiefs, outside back Alaimalo said he was looking forward to forging some exciting new combinations with his new provincial teammates.
‘‘This is such a good team – it’s just about putting it out on the field and making sure we gel together and get around each other.’’
In just his second season out of Nelson College, wider squad member Willy Havili said the jump from club to provincial honours had been ‘‘unreal’’.
‘‘I’ve been working hard all year, just kept cracking at it and trying to push my case – now that I’m in here, I can just get to training, push the boys and see what else comes of it.’’
Havili said that while this season was all about learning, he would welcome the chance for some game time, even if meant taking orders from his big brother, captain David Havili.
‘‘Once we’re on the training or playing field, it’s all serious – off the field, it’s a good laugh.’’
New vice-captain Wyatt Crockett made a brief cameo at the photo shoot before heading back to work at the Stirling Sports store he took over last Wednesday.
Barely a week after his final Crusade, Crockett said the transition to his new life in Nelson had been swift but exciting – not least the prospect of being part of the Mako leadership.
‘‘[Vice-captaincy] is a massive honour – I didn’t expect it, but I’m really proud to be wearing the jersey.’’
After 73 games for Canterbury, Crockett said he was relishing the chance to square up against his former teammates at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim on Friday.
‘‘Yeah, how good? Obviously I’ve spent a lot of time playing with those boys – you’re enemies once you get on the field but good mates off it, so hopefully that’s how it’ll be on Friday.’’
At 28, Jesse MacDonald is the thirdoldest player in the wider Mako squad, behind Crockett (35) and fellow veteran Alex Ainley (37).
No stranger to the Mako setup, the Blenheim-born front rower said he hoped to get plenty of game time in 2018 as the team strived to claim a maiden premiership title.
‘‘Hopefully, the boys can crack it this year – Canterbury are a good team, we’ve just got to be better.’’
‘‘This is such a good team – it’s just about putting it out on the field.’’
New Tasman Mako recruit Solomon Alaimalo