Macca makes mark with Mako

In what will be just his third game in the Mako jersey, Macca Springer is set to play for one of the most coveted prizes in New Zealand rugby.

It was two weeks ago when Macca was sitting on the bench watching the Mako taking on Waikato at Trafalgar Park.

He says he was feeling relaxed. However, with more than 20 minutes on the clock, Macca was told to start warming up.

“It was a pretty normal day, the nerves were good the whole game then I got the message and they hit me.”

Once he got on the field, though, the talented prodigy looked right at home.

“It’s been my dream since I started getting really into rugby to make the Mako side, I didn’t think it would be a year out of school though.”

His first act as a Mako came from a set move with the 19-year-old getting over the gain line.

“I just didn’t want to get smoked first touch.”

Macca says he did not expect to play as long as he did, enjoying almost a quarter of the Trafalgar Park match on the wing.

“It’s been pretty unbelievable. Obviously, a bit bittersweet with some of the boys getting injured but the whole week was just unreal.”

Despite the limitation on crowd numbers, Macca’s parents, nana and former first XV coach all managed to get in the ground to see his debut.

Unfortunately, his debut was marred as the Mooloos broke the Mako’s three-year winning streak at Trafalgar Park.

While he says he is still adjusting to the increased speed and physicality of the professional game, he feels “pretty comfortable”.

But last Sunday against Southland, Macca had another chance to make an impression. And he took it - soaring in the air to claim a Mitch Hunt cross-kick before stepping the cover and showing his speed to go in for his first Mako try.

The Waimea College product looked assured on the left wing as the Tasman Mako bounced back from the Waikato loss in commanding fashion in Blenheim with a 51-14 victory over Southland.

The match served as perfect preparation for Tasman who are just days away from a long-awaited Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawke’s Bay, just the third in the union’s history.