It’s now or never as Tasman chase
Tasman have been here before several times, just a win away from the Mitre 10 Cup title – and blown it.
This weekend’s final against Wellington at home is Tasman’s fourth in the six years since being promoted to the top tier of provincial rugby.
Tasman gained promotion after winning the Championship in 2013.
They have made the final a few times since then, choking against Taranaki in
2014, and Canterbury in both 2016 and
2017.
Injured Tasman wing and fringe
Super Rugby player Tima Fainga’anuku says that history counts for little on Saturday, as does their unbeaten run to the final.
‘‘We’ve done pretty well to get where we are at this stage, but hopefully we can make history.
‘‘Our mindset all year has been to earn the right to get to the final, we feel at this stage we have.
‘‘We’ve played some pretty tough games late in the season which show how much hard work we have put in to get to the stage we are at. Now it is time to win the final.’’
He didn’t say it, but the team will be relieved Wellington beat their southern rivals, Canterbury, 30-19 in the semifinal last week.
Canterbury have not only knocked Tasman out of the two finals they have been in, but also last year’s semifinal in Christchurch.
Unlike the entire Canterbury region, Fainga’anuku wasn’t surprised to see Wellington make the final.
‘‘Not surprised, finals footy is finals footy and anything can happen. It just shows what a classy side Wellington are. ‘‘They have done just as much hard work as we have. ‘‘Canterbury is not an easy side to beat, but in finals footy anything can happen, it doesn’t matter if you have won 10 in a row, or just made it through – anything can happen.’’
After scraping home 18-9 against Auckland at Blenheim’s Lansdowne Park last weekend, the Tasman Mako are hosting their first final, at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park.
What is different about the