Thu, Sep 16, 2021 3:43 PM

Mako name side for NPC re-boot

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Peter Jones

Tasman Mako head coach Andrew Goodman says his side have returned from their month-long COVID-enforced lay-off “motivated and hungry”.

“They seem fresh,” he said.

“They didn’t have all the gym equipment they would have liked but they have come back really fit through putting in some extra running. They have also had a bit of time to recover too, without the big contacts associated with games and training.

“The excitement levels are up there … there is no shortage of energy. It was a hard week letting some of the group know that they weren’t going to be playing because everyone is hungry to get back out there.”

Goodman and his fellow Tasman Mako selectors have included 11 of the starting line-up that accounted for Auckland prior to lockdown in the side to take on Northland at Semenoff Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Sam Moli comes in at hooker for Quentin MacDonald, who shifts to the bench, while co-captain Quinten Strange earns his first start of the season, replacing Antonio Shalfoon at lock.

Workhorse loose forward Hugh Renton is rested, Jacob Norris recapturing the No six shirt.

The only change in the back division from the previous game is the re-introduction of Fijian flyer Jim Tavatavanawai on the right wing, in place of Leicester Fainga’anuku, who shifts to centre, replacing Fetuli Paea, who is out for the remainder of the season with a broken arm sustained in the Auckland clash.

Tavatavanawai made an outstanding NPC debut against the Steamers in round one.

An interesting face among the reserves is that of the experienced campaigner Alex Nankivell, the NZ Maori midfielder set to make his first appearance of the season.

Ready to make their Mako NPC debut from the bench are prop Luca Inch, a member of the NZ under-20 squad, athletic lock Max Hicks and outside back option Taine Robinson, who all impressed during the club season.

A plus for the Mako is the availability of powerhouse No 8 Shannon Frizell, a member of the All Blacks’ squad.

“It’s great to have him back at the moment”, said Goodman. “He will be joining the All Blacks at a later stage, but we are stoked to have him while he is here.”

The return of Nankivell from an injury lay-off has also been welcomed, especially with Paea dropping out.

“It will be a good chance for him to get some good minutes off the bench this week. His return is very timely.”

Championship side Northland have made a stuttering start to their campaign, the Taniwha being beaten 54-7 by Wellington in round one then 48-14 at home to Taranaki in the second round.

However, Goodman says Northland are a dangerous rival who will have benefitted from the break with the possibility of a couple of top players, such as loosie Tom Robinson, returning.

The Mako team to play Northland in Whangarei on Saturday, kick-off 4.35pm, is: 1 Isi Tu’ungafasi, 2 Sam Moli, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 5 Quinten Strange (co-captain), 6 Jake Norris, 7 Sione Havili Talitui, 8 Shannon Frizell; 9 Jack Grooby, 10 Mitch Hunt (co-captain), 11 Mark Telea, 12, Tim O’Malley, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14 Jim Tavatavanawai, 15 Tom Marshall.

Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Luca Inch, Isaac Salmon, Max Hicks, Anton Segner, Louie Chapman, Alex Nankivell, Taine Robinson.

Meanwhile, the Tasman Mako women will resume their Farah Palmer Cup championship season on Sunday, September 26, taking on the Manawatu Cyclones at Trafalgar Park, Nelson, with a 11.35am kick-off.

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