TEST OF DEPTH
The Tasman Mako have a good problem of seven All Blacks, so their depth will be sorely tested as they gear up for a shot at a third straight Premiership, writes Campbell Burnes.
In less than 15 years, the Tasman Mako became a powerhouse of new Zealand provincial rugby and now stand on the cusp of a third consecutive top tier title.
supreme in 2019, they did it much tougher in 2020, dropping three games, badly, and scoring just seven tries in their last five outings. They did start on fire, blowing away Counties Manukau, northland and waikato. but their defence was tight as a drum and they won the big moments at the business end. In the 13-12 victory over Auckland in the final, their set-piece and David Havili stepped up under pressure.
but they will have to do without their skip for most of the campaign, as he is now in black, and so are six of his fellow Mako men: will Jordan, sevu reece, Finlay Christie, Ethan Blackadder, Shannon Frizell and Tyrel Lomax. If I had a crystal ball, I would say the Mako may see Christie, Blackadder and Lomax on the odd occasion.
but despite the disruption to their roster, the Mako are relatively settled overall. The big gains are centre Levi Aumua, back from Japan, to offset the retirement of Kieron Fonotia, prop Atu Moli is back into it after another long-term injury, and the versatile Tom Marshall returns from Japan and england, poised on 45 Mako games – a blazer comes at 50 – but seven years since his last. He can operate at fullback or second five, much like Havili.
Only wing Tima Faingaanuku, searching for more game time, has transferred provinces to the Turbos, and Alex Ainley has hung up the boots at the age of 40 and 100 Mako matches.
“I think his wife has taken my number off his phone, but he’s been a great
servant of Tasman,” quips head coach Andrew goodman.
He again has Gray Cornelius and Shane Christie as his lieutenants, while Dan Perrin replaces Clarke Dermody, now fulltime with the Highlanders. James Marshall is on board to help with skills and the backs.
goodman himself was able to help out with Manu samoa last month and is keen to further that connection in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup 2023.
As ever, there is a balancing act between the super rugby pros and the academy and club prospects. Throw in a couple of handy nz under 20s reps, and the future looks bright.
but the here and now is the major concern.
while Tom Marshall could be the 15, there is firepower on the flanks in the form of Mark Telea and Leicester Faingaanuku, who can also slot in at centre. Aumua and Fetuli Paea, if fit, will be the power carriers in midfield, while the Mako have no issues at no 12, where Alex nankivell is as reliable as clockwork.
Tim O’malley is the five-eighths cover, but Campbell Parata and Willy Havili, brother of David, are other options at pivot.
Louie Chapman and Jack Grooby will be the halfback options behind Christie.
The Mako loose forward riches are quite remarkable: after Frizell and blackadder are Taina Fox-matamua, Hugh renton, Anton segner, sione Havili and Jacob norris, all of them versatile and able to play two positions. There is also Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, who racked up the most minutes in 2020 and can operate on the side of the scrum as well as lock.
Don’t worry about the second-row, where Quin strange will be hungry after a frustrating super season with the Crusaders, while Paripari Parkinson is back in harness after missing the 2020 NPC with injury. Max Hicks, Antonio shalfoon and Mahonri ngakuru are the back-ups.
Lomax may be seen only occasionally, but the Mako will lean on Isaac salmon, sam Matenga and nz under 20 rep Luca Inch to hold the scrum up at tighthead. On the loosehead, Isi Tu’ungafasi and Ryan Coxon will do the job, as Kershawl sykes-martin broke his leg against the nz under 20s last month.
There is depth at hooker, where Quentin Macdonald and sam Moli will hold the fort until the pending return later in the campaign of Andrew Makalio after neck surgery. He will need surgeon’s clearance.
‘But despite the (All Blacks) disruption to their roster, the Mako are relatively settled overall.’
“It’s a really exciting challenge for us and for the guys who have been in academies and development programmes and training with us for the last year,” says goodman. “but we’re really happy with the squad. everyone’s hungry to have another good season.”