Makos upbeat for Lions clash
BY JOHN ALEXANDER
TOUGH WEEK: Kieran Keane hopes his team can step up.
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If the Tasman Makos are looking for more inspiration heading into Sunday's daunting ITM Cup opener against Wellington at Westpac Stadium, they need only look at how Northland beat Taranaki in New Plymouth last night.
Taranaki went in as hot favourites, having recruited well off-season and with home ground advantage against one of the least favoured teams in the competition, but Northland showed what guts, determination, confidence and self-belief can produce and achieved a well-deserved win.
The Makos are even bigger underdogs than Northland were, going up against last year's beaten finalists, who boast a playing roster as good as any in the country, when everyone's available.
Makos head coach Kieran Keane admitted during the week that the buildup had not gone entirely to plan, but he was typically upbeat about his team's chances.
"We've had a tough week. We've been tough on each other, and I've been tough on the boys.
"We've eased off and tapered down nearer game time, and there is a bit of excitment in the camp."
Although he felt the team had taken a step backwards from where they were heading in last week's friendly against Otago, they would just have to deal with that, he said.
With half of the 22-man squad making their Makos debuts, Keane and his assistant Leon MacDonald have had to start from scratch in many ways, and Keane is hoping his very young team will come up trumps.
"We've taken a few punts and we've got an eye for the future, and the boys will be benefited by the exposure, but obviously we've got our fingers crossed that they step up and not just look down the track too far."
Keane is delighted to have hulking tighthead prop Hamish Cochrane back from injury and on the bench.
"He's come through a pretty tough week. That was a little bit of a bonus for us, really, because we are young in the front row. It's a great opportunity for those young guys, but sometimes you think, `God almighty, am I doing the right thing here?'.
"They are good boys, and there are not a lot of cattle around in the front row. I think the front rowers are becoming the new rich."
Keane said former Auckland and Northland hooker Francis Smith had fitted in well and was doing a fine job mentoring Vernon Fredericks in his first ITM Cup campaign. Injured hooker Quentin MacDonald will also help as scrum coach during the season.
Like the Makos, Wellington have struggled with injuries pre-season and have the added issue of All Blacks being away.
In fact, at the time of writing they had not named their team.
One thing is certain – Marlborough's Jamie Joseph remains head coach despite speculation surrounding his imminent move to Otago to coach the Highlanders.
Although the Wellington lineup has not been confirmed, definitely out injured are former All Black No8 Rodney So'oialo, flanker Serge Lilo and first five-eighth Michael Hobbs.
Likely to play are former All Blacks Neemia Tialata at prop and in-form winger Hosea Gear, as well as halfback Alby Mathewson.
MAKOS V LIONS
Tasman Makos: Robbie Malneek, Blair Cook, Kade Poki, Tom Marshall, Afeleki Pelenise, James Marshall, Steve Alfeld, Tasi Luafutu, Jonathan Poff, Joe Wheeler, Chris Jack (cpt), Jarrod Aberhart, Fai Mika, Francis Smith, Sam Prattley. Subs: Vernon Fredericks, Hamish Cochrane, Glenn Gregory, Shane Christie, Kaide Whiting, Daniel Hawkins, James Kamana. Wellington (possible): Buxton Pooali'i, Julian Savea, Alapati Leiua, Charlie Ngatai, Hosea Gear, Fa'atonu Fili, Alby Mathewson, Api Naikatini, Scott Fuglistaller, Faifilli Levave, Daniel Ramsay, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata, Dane Coles, John Schwalger. Subs could not be confirmed.Kick-off: 4.35pm Sunday. Referee: Josh Noonan. Weather forecast: Rain developing, but easing to showers and clearing at night. Northerly gales easing after dark. Temperature range 9-14C.
- The Marlborough Express
