Makos look to fend off southern raiders

BY JOHN ALEXANDER

If the attitude of Tasman Makos rugby hooker Francis Smith mirrors that of his team-mates, self belief won't be lacking when they come up against the ITM Cup table-topping Ranfurly Shield holders Southland at Lansdowne Park tomorrow night.

Smith, a loan player from Canterbury and a former Northland and Auckland rep, is proud to be playing for the Makos this year and is far from daunted about taking on a team that thrashed them at Invercargill last year 41-0.

"If I went out thinking we were going to lose, I wouldn't play," Smith said. "Playing for this region has made me see what people expect and what it means.

"Real proud and it's rubbed off from the regular players [from last season]. Real pride."

Rubbing shoulders with former All Blacks lock Chris Jack and prop Ben Franks, a member of the current All Blacks squad, had been an inspiration, he said.

"Franksie has inspired me. All the stories. He came here and Tasman was the only team that wanted him and he's an All Black. The coaches Kieran [Keane] and Leon [MacDonald], they are awesome. Real straight up. Good with the players.

"Some of the stuff they come up with is unbelievable. The boys are having fun."

Born in Rarotonga, Smith moved to Auckland as a 15-year-old, boarding at King's College, where he played for the first XV at flanker. He changed to hooker only three years ago, playing for New Zealand Universities in Japan and Northland. In one match against North Harbour he scored three tries.

He also played seven matches for Auckland, but didn't feature last season. He returned home after a family bereavement in Rarotonga, then moved to Canterbury to help out his family.

He joined the Sumner club on an invitation from former All Black Scott Robertson, who alerted the Makos coaches to Smith when last year's regular, Quentin MacDonald, was injured and Daniel Perrin left the region.

He said he was grateful Keane and MacDonald had wanted him and he has loved every minute of it so far. "This place is beautiful. It's awesome. Good people. I'm just trying to work hard each week and get better. I'm getting more confident."

Rugby hasn't been Smith's only activity since moving to Tasman. He is a regular hunter, as are most of his team-mates, and he thoroughly enjoys it, although he admits his aim is not that flash yet.

As for tomorrow night's game against Southland, Smith said that despite last Saturday being the best day of his rugby life, when he scored a try in the Makos' win over Canterbury, the team has their feet very much on the ground and are expecting a huge match.

There are two changes in the Makos team, with Ben Coman making his ITM Cup debut at lock and Glen Gregory shifting to blindside flanker.

Afeleki Pelenise comes back from injury on the right wing, with Blair Cook and Tasi Luafutu moving to the bench. Anthony Elisala and Jack Umaga are out of the 22 this week.

Coach Keane is under no illusions about how tough the challenge will be.

"They are the top dog. Very efficient. Pretty physical side and a big side. We are keen on matching up. Just carrying on and lifting a level as we go. I think we are up for it."

Canterbury prop Wyatt Crockett's complaints about the Makos' scrum during the week did not impress Keane. He admitted the scrum did not go well in the second half and said they had addressed what they believed were the issues. He is looking for an improvement.

Southland manager, former All Black Leicester Rutledge, said his team enjoyed a low-key week's training in Hawke's Bay and since their arrival in Blenheim yesterday.

There are a couple of injury issues in the team, with fullback Glen Horton and forward Kane Thompson both out. Southland have bracketed three locks due to injury concerns – Josh Bekhuis, Joe Tuineau and Alex Ryan. Mark Wells takes over at fullback.

Two pieces of history are very much against the Makos. They have never beaten Southland and have never previously won three matches in succession in this competition.

However, history went out the door against Canterbury last week.

MATCH FACTS

Tasman v Southland Teams: Tasman Makos: Robbie Malneek, Afeleki Pelenise, Kade Poki, Tom Marshall, James Kamana, James Marshall, Steve Alfeld, Joe Wheeler, Jonathan Poff, Glen Gregory, Chris Jack (captain), Ben Coman, Fai Mika, Francis Smith, Sam Prattley. Subs: Vernon Fredericks, Hamish Cochrane, Tasi Luafutu, Shane Christie, Kaide Whiting, Blair Cook, Sione Holani. Southland Stags: Mark Wells, Tony Koonwaiyou, Kendrick Lynn, Matt Saunders, Pehi Te Whare, Robbie Robinson, Scott Cowan, Elliot Dixon, John Hardie, Dion Bates, John Tuineau/Alex Ryan, Josh Bekhuis/Ryan, Nic Barrett, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh (captain). Subs: Brayden Mitchell, Chris King, Tim Boys, Ryan/Bekhuis/Tuineau, Nick Annear, Seminar Manu, Mana Harrison. Kick-off: Tomorrow, 7.35pm. Gates open: 6.30pm. Referee: Nathan Pearce (Australia). Weather forecast: Fine spells at first, but scattered rain developing from late morning, then easing in the evening. Northerlies. Temperature: high 12 degrees TAB odds, head to head: Tasman Makos $1.87, Southland $1.87. Longest odds: Tasman Mako to score first try – prop Sam Prattley at $50. Previous results between the two teams: 2006 – Southland (away) 23-14. 2007 – No game. 2008 – Southland (home) 6-3. 2009 – Southland (away) 41-0.

- The Marlborough Express