Mako ready to sink their teeth into the competition

Will Tasman Mako rugby teams reign as apex predators in the rugby waters, or find themselves as chum in the fierce tides of 2024?

Both the men’s and women’s squads have shown glimpses of brilliance, but now they face the challenge of turning potential into dominance.

The Mako men’s team, once the fearsome back-to-back champions of 2019-20, has struggled to maintain its dominance. Last year, their season ended abruptly in the quarter-finals with a bruising defeat to Taranaki. It was a harsh fall from grace for a team that had started the season with six wins from eight matches, only to lose their way as the pressure mounted. The absence of key players, like the wing pair of Sevu Reece and Will Jordan due to All Black duties, was a significant blow. Their electrifying presence was sorely missed, with the Mako a victim of their own success, as many players were missing due to higher honours.

The team, led by new head coach Gray Cornelius—a seasoned mentor who has risen through the Tasman coaching ranks after co-leading the team in previous seasons—must now rebuild and refocus. Despite the disappointment, there were bright spots. Loose forward Anton Segnar stood out with his relentless turnovers and powerful ball-carrying, while the fiery Timoci Tavatavanawai emerged as the top try scorer, igniting hopes for the future.

On the women’s side, the Tasman Mako are poised for a breakout. Now under the guidance of La Toya Mason, an ex-England international and World Cup winner, the team has shown promise. Last year, they reached the championship semi-finals, a significant achievement highlighting their potential. The team boasts a blend of youth and experience, with young talents like halfback Lucy Mahuika, whose agility and quick thinking light up the field. Alongside her is Jess Harvie, who brings a strong running game and high rugby IQ at the back of the scrum. With local powerhouses like Marist feeding talent into the team, the Mako women are building a formidable squad. They’ve tasted victory over teams like North Harbour and Taranaki, and now, with Mason’s strategic leadership, they aim to ride the rising tide to greater heights.

As the new season dawns, both Mako teams face uncharted waters. The men’s team, with its storied past and recent struggles, must rediscover its killer instinct. For the women, it’s about harnessing their growing momentum and turning it into sustained success.

QUINTEN STRANGE

Position: Lock
Date of Birth: 21/08/96

What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?

I think the most memorable moment would be lifting the NPC title with Tasman in 2019. It was a very special moment, as it was the union’s first time winning the whole competition. Going unbeaten was something very surreal as well.

Who has been your biggest mentor or influence in your career?

I’ve had a lot of people who have helped me throughout my career. In my younger years, Kahu Marfell and Chris Jack were massive for me in terms of being prepared for my first few years of professional rugby. Once I was in and around the Crusaders, Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano also helped me a lot, particularly with my set piece work and maintaining balance in my life between hobbies and rugby, for which I am hugely thankful.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not playing your sport?

While away from the game, I really enjoy getting outdoors. Hunting, fishing, and diving are my main hobbies, and I also play a little bit of golf, although my golf game needs a lot of work…

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

My goals for the upcoming season with Tasman are to lift a trophy at the end of it. I feel we have an exciting group this year, and we are all willing to work hard for the results we want. Personally, I still have a huge desire to put on the black jersey and represent my country, so I will be working hard on my performances to hopefully achieve that childhood dream.

JESS HARVIE

Position: Backrow
Date of Birth: 06/11/02

What are your goals for the upcoming season?

Coming off the back of two interrupted seasons due to shoulder injury, I’m hoping this year to gain more experience in playing FPC by being able to play a full season injury-free. This would allow me to put my best foot forward for higher honour selections.

How do you prepare mentally and physically for an important match or game?

A big thing for me to be mentally prepared for a game is knowing I’ve been putting in the work to best prepare myself physically in the forms of strength/conditioning, sleep, training, etc. This includes doing all my prescribed gym and conditioning sessions for the week, training hard, and knowing my role on the field. For this, I often take notes in my book and map out plays. I also ensure I sleep as much as I can each night and eat enough of the right foods before and after training.

What does a typical training day look like for you?

I’m a morning person, so I like to get up early and get my gym session done from 5:30-7am. Afterwards, I head to Richmond Glass, where I work as a qualified glazier. Our on-field training sessions (three per week) start around 6:30am, so I go home for a quick change of outfit and refuel with food before heading to Trafalgar Park for training.

What advice would you give to young, aspiring athletes?

Surround yourself with like-minded peers who want to see you succeed. Having this makes showing up for yourself day in and day out so much easier and more joyful.