Tasman’s time to weather the storm

They call it “Storm Week” for a good reason.

Each team in the Bunnings NPC competition has to front up for three games in a week once during their regular season, putting extra pressure on resources and resilience.

For the Tasman Mako, their “Storm Week” has come at a pivotal stage of their campaign.

Earlier in the season, they were travelling smoothly, forging an unbeaten record and sitting near the top of the table with a home quarterfinal firmly in their sights.
However, the moment they laid hands on the Ranfurly Shield, their focus shifted. Suddenly, home games became doubly-important, with the much-coveted Log o’ Wood at stake, along with competition points.

The first challenge was repelled, Wellington beaten in Blenheim, but the spectre of “Storm Week” always loomed large. NPC coaches and management have always tried to manage their troops during the testing seven, or eight-day stretch but, with the added pressure of not one, but two potential Shield defences to negotiate, some calculated gambles needed to be made at Tasman HQ.

First up was Saturday’s clash with Otago in Dunedin, presenting an opportunity to rest key players for the forthcoming Shield defences (against Auckland on Wednesday and, hopefully, Taranaki on Sunday).

The Mako selectors did just that, making 11 changes from their starting line-up the previous weekend and tossing eight debutants into the Forsyth Barr fire.

Worst case scenario was a thrashing, with no-one putting up their hand for future selection, as well as losing their first match of the campaign.

Best case scenario was a bonus point win, with most of the players showing that they were not out of place at that level while underlining the region’s rugby depth.
Ultimately, the coaches got a bit of both. The unbeaten record went south, but a bonus point was secured and a string of players from the “Mini Mako” side sent a “pick me” message to Gray Cornelius and co.

The men in red went down 47-31, with the final scoreline no fair reflection of the battle that ensued under the roof.

After a relatively even first half, a purple patch midway through the second spell saw the Mako score three converted tries within eight minutes, moving menacingly into a 31-21 lead.

Playing with the freedom that comes with lack of expectation the game was there for the taking, but it was the home side, with their season on the line, who seized control. Their scrum began to dominate, forcing penalties from which they profited through position and ultimately points, including a penalty try from an illegally-stopped lineout drive.

As well, Tasman’s usually-reliable tackling fell away as Otago’s bench players began to assert their authority and experience.

The Mako rookies can be proud of their effort. Despite most of their combinations being untested they showed remarkable continuity and rhythm on attack while defending doggedly.

A few stood out. Flanker Braden Stewart was outstanding, along with Tim O’Malley, who brought up his 50th cap, prop Monu Moli, lock Hunter Leppien, replacement Tim Sail, hooker Eli Oudenryn, fullback Kyren Taumoefolau, who departed the scene at halftime, skipper and halfback Louie Chapman, centre Nic Sauira, exciting newcomer Maloni Kunawave and returning winger Jack Gray.

Tasman, who picked up a try-scoring bonus point, can rest assured there is plenty of talent in reserve if required later this season, then into future campaigns.
However, as anticipated, only three players from the Otago match will start proceedings when Auckland attempt to wrest the Log from Tasman’s grasp at Trafalgar Parkon Wednesday night.

Almost a full team of rested players will be called on to keep the nation’s most successful Ranfurly Shield side from adding to the 16 previous challenges they have won. A win will also put Tasman on top of the NPC table with one round to play.

The All Blacks have released halfback Noah Hotham for tonight’s game, but Ethan Blackadder and David Havili are still unavailable, as is Levi Aumua, who is on paternity leave.

The Tasman Mako team to play Auckland:
1 Ryan Coxon, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 6 Tim Sail, 7 Sione Havili Talitui, 8 Fletcher Anderson, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Willi Havili, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 12 Will Butler, 13 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 14 Jack Gray, 15 Macca Springer. Sparkies: Sam Moli, Monu Moli, Sione Mafi, Johnny Lee, Braden Stewart, Noah Hotham, Campbell Parata, Nic Sauira.

The Shield match begins at 7.05pm.