Changes aplenty for Mako
Sione Havili Talitui will lead Tasman against Waikato on Sunday. Photo: Shuttersport.
The Tasman Mako selectors have made a raft of changes to the side which defended the Ranfurly Shield so heroically at Lansdowne Park on Sunday for their next assignment.
On Sunday they take on Waikato in Hamilton, putting their undefeated record on the line against one of the nation’s traditional powerhouse provinces.
Due to the physical nature of the shield win and ensuing defence the selectors have decided to rest a couple of key players – halfback Finlay Christie, who will captain the side when chosen for the rest of the campaign, and No 8 Fletcher Anderson, both having shouldered a huge workload in recent weeks.
Out injured are skipper Quinten Strange, who will miss the remainder of the season with a torn pec, hooker Quentin MacDonald, with a calf injury sustained in the shield defence, Max Hicks, Vili Napa’a, Taine Robinson and Jack Gray.
Consequently, the team for Sunday has a fresh new look about it.
Leading the way, in the front row, will be prop Ryan Coxon, set to make his 50thappearance for the Mako. Sam Moli replaces MacDonald at hooker while the seasoned Isaac Salmon comes in for Sam Matenga, who, like Coxon, put in a huge shift on Sunday.
Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta comes in at lock for Strange, joining the hard-working Antonio Shalfoon in the second row, while impressive youngster Johnny Lee claims the seven jersey with Sione Havili Talitui, given the captain’s role this week, shifting to No 8. Tim Sail will continue on the blind side flank.
Louie Chapman will start at halfback, with Mason Lund on the bench, Campbell Parata remaining in the 10 jersey.
Englishman Will Butler returns in place of David Havili, who has rejoined the All Blacks’ camp. Levi Aumua remains at centre with Macca Springer moving to the left wing from fullback, Kyren Taumoefolau shifting to the right. Crowd pleaser Timoci Tavatavanawai is set to add energy from the bench.
Willi Havili returns after an injury stand down at fullback, offering dual kicking options.
A new face in the reserves is young hooker Eli Oudenryn, with Hunter Leppien and Braden Stewart back in the mix as the Mako coaches endeavour to manage their charges over what will be a very demanding few weeks, culminating in back-to-back shield challenges on October 2 and 6.
Waikato, who sit fifth on the NPC table, have had a mixed season, winning four games but losing three. They beat Counties Manukau 26-20, Hawke’s Bay 50-5, Northland 34-19 and Auckland 39-21, but lost to Bay of Plenty, North Harbour and Taranaki.
So far this season Tasman have accounted for Manawatu 54-21, Canterbury 22-7, Counties Manukau 48-3, Bay of Plenty 34-15, Hawke’s Bay 25-24 and Wellington 28-15.
Tasman Mako team v Waikato:1 Ryan Coxon, 2 Sam Moli, 3 Isaac Salmon, 4 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 6 Tim Sail, 7 Johnny Lee, 8 Sione Havili Taletui (captain), 9 Louie Chapman, 10 Campbell Parata, 11 Macca Springer, 12 Will Butler, 13 Levi Aumua, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 15 Willi Havili. Sparkies: Eli Oudenryn (debut), Monu Moli, Sam Matenga, Hunter Leppien, Braden Stewart, Mason Lund, Nic Sauira, Timoci Tavatavanawai.
The match kicks off at 1.05pm Sunday.