Experienced duo back for Ranfurly Shield defence

The addition of two vastly-experienced players has provided a boost to Tasman’s stocks ahead of their first Ranfurly Shield defence at Lansdowne Park on Sunday.

The Mako team to take on the table-topping Wellington Lions was named this morning, the locals having to front up just eight days after their history-making triumph at McLean Park, Napier.

Adding their considerable skill set to the mix on Sunday will be David Havili and Sione Havili Talitui.

Havili, a member of the All Blacks squad, has been released for this match after having limited game time lately. His return to Mako colours is timely, given the injury sustained by his brother, in-form first five Willi Havili, during the shield challenge.

Although Campbell Parata, who entered the fray late in Napier and booted the dramatic match-clinching penalty goal, will wear the 10 jersey on Sunday, he will benefit from the input of the talismanic Havili outside him.

Havili has been a major part of most of Tasman’s recent successes, his versatility, leadership and game sense integral to the Mako game plan.

The return of loose forward Havili Talitui, who has been out for a few weeks with a hand injury is also a major plus. He is a vastly-experienced operator, having represented the Blues, Crusaders and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby, as well as playing 11 tests for Tonga. He replaces Braden Stewart, who tackled relentlessly in Napier, with Tim Sail and Fletcher Anderson retaining the six and eight shirts respectively.

The Tasman tight five is unchanged, reward for a strong showing in Napier, especially in the first half when they dominated the much-vaunted Magpies’ eight and put their side in a winning position. However, the Tasman scrum and lineout creaked late in the second spell, a situation the side will be keen to remedy. They have beefed up the reserves bench, the experienced duo of prop Isaac Salmon and lock/loosie Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta replacing Quinn Harrison-Jones and Hunter Leppien. Impressive loosie Johnny Lee and the Moli brothers, Sam and Monu, complete the forward replacements.

Havili’s return and an injury to winger Jack Gray has necessitated changes in the backline. Midfielder Will Butler, who has been improving with every outing, shifts to the bench, while the elusive Kyren Taumoefolau replaces Gray on the left wing.

Finlay Christie, who must be close to an All Blacks recall, will again guide the ship from halfback, while the threat of twin wrecking balls, centre Levi Aumua and winger Timoci Tavatavanawai, remains.

Halfback Louie Chapman and young winger Nic Sauira will join Butler on the bench. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Max Hicks and Taine Robinson are still out with injury.

Both sides head into Sunday’s clash boasting an unbeaten record in the 2024 Bunnings NPC competition, Wellington moving to the top of the table last night with a win in Dunedin. Although they fielded a virtual B team, with Sunday’s clash to the forefront of their thinking, the Lions prevailed 32-28 and moved three points clear of Hawke’s Bay at the top of the standings. Tasman are third, having played one game less than the other two sides.

So far this season Tasman have accounted for Manawatu 54-21, Canterbury 22-7, Counties Manukau 48-3, Bay of Plenty 34-15 and Hawke’s Bay 25-24.

The Lions have beaten Auckland 29-21, Taranaki 26-19, Manawatu 39-31, Canterbury 46-21, Southland 36-12 and Otago, setting the scene for a battle royal at Lansdowne.

Wellington will welcome back All Blacks squad members Billy Proctor and Ruben Love, making for some exciting match-ups on Sunday.

The Lions have yet to name their side, but it is sure to possess a string of dangerous attackers.

Defence has been a key part of the Mako season so far and it is no secret that the ability to defend your line is key to a lengthy shield tenure.

Tasman Mako team v Wellington: 1 Ryan Coxon, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Quinten Strange (c), 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 6 Tim Sail, 7 Sione Havili Taletui, 8 Fletcher Anderson, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Campbell Parata, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 12 David Havili, 13 Levi Aumua, 14 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 15 Macca Springer. Sparkies: Sam Moli, Monu Moli, Isaac Salmon, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Johnny Lee, Louie Chapman, Will Butler, Nic Sauira.

Sunday’s match kicks off at 2.05pm. The team will be in Blenheim on Saturday afternoon, undertaking a signing session at Mitchell Sports from 4pm.