Tasman Rugby Union

Tasman Mako
Full name	Tasman Rugby Union
Union	NZRU
Nickname(s)	Mako
Founded	2006
Ground(s)	Lansdowne Park (capacity: 15,000) ; Trafalgar Park (capacity: 18,000)
CEO	Tony Lewis
Coach(es)	Leon MacDonald (head coach) ; Mark Hammett (assistant) ; Andrew Goodman (assistant)
Captain(s)	David Havili
Most caps	Robbie Malneek (104)
Top scorer	Marty Banks (640)
Most tries	Robbie Malneek (25)
League(s)	Mitre 10 Cup
2018	2nd
1st kit	2nd kit
Official website
	www.mako.nz

The Tasman Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union at the north end of the South Island in New Zealand. It is New Zealand's newest provincial union, founded in 2006 with the amalgamation of the existing Marlborough and Nelson Bays sub unions. The union's premier team is the Tasman Mako which compete in New Zealand's provincial rugby competition, the Mitre 10 Cup.

History

When the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) reviewed the domestic competitions in 2005, a new 14 team premier division of competition was created, as the Air New Zealand Cup, taking the place of the National Provincial Championship (NPC).

The restructured domestic competition opened the door for the Nelson Bays and Marlborough Rugby Unions to form a relationship, forming one organisation in an attempt to be awarded a position in the new competition.

The team was named after the Mako shark or ‘blue lightening’ as it is called because of its colour and speed. It is found throughout NZ, however the waters of Cook Strait, Marlborough and Tasman Bay are the most prevalent hunting grounds for these awesome predators.

Maori greatly admired the Mako due to its legendary tenacity and willingness to fight to the last. The Mako are also renowned for their speed, strength and agility – the same qualities that the rugby team claims to be renowned for. ^[1]

2006

2006 Air New Zealand Cup Pool A Standings
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP	PTS
1	Auckland	6	5	0	1	195	63	+132	5	25
2	North Harbour (RS)	6	5	0	1	142	92	+50	3	23
3	Wellington	6	5	0	1	121	90	+31	1	21

4	Bay of Plenty	6	3	0	3	116	129	-13	1	13
5	Taranaki	6	2	0	4	86	128	-42	1	9
6	Tasman	6	1	0	5	133	163	-30	4	8
7	Manawatu	6	0	0	6	46	174	-128	1	1

A Tasman XV played Canada 'A' on April 26, 2006 at Trafalgar Park. The Tasman side won by 40 points, the final score being 48 points to eight. The Makos were grouped in Pool A of the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup.

In their first ever match in the Air New Zealand Cup, the Makos earned a bonus point in a loss to the North Harbour team, losing 33 points to 27. They were defeated by Auckland the following week by 40 points. However, the Makos won their first match in round three, defeating Manawatu by 43 points to 0. Their only other win of the season came at home against Northland, with an impressive 56–15 win. Despite the season record of just 2 wins and 7 losses, the Makos showed the ability to compete and provided a platform to build for the future. Ti'i Paulo Captained the Makos that year.

2007 / 2008

2007 Air New Zealand Cup Standings
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Auckland (RS)	10	10	0	0	371	145	+226	8	0	48
2	Canterbury	10	9	0	1	351	135	+216	6	0	42
3	Wellington	10	8	0	2	354	172	+182	6	1	39
4	Hawke's Bay	10	7	0	3	254	221	+33	5	1	34
5	Waikato	10	6	0	4	289	231	+58	3	1	28
6	Southland	10	6	0	4	231	203	+28	1	1	26
7	Otago	10	5	1	4	213	275	-81	1	1	24
8	Taranaki	10	4	0	6	218	234	-16	3	4	23

9	North Harbour	10	4	2	4	222	267	-45	2	0	22
10	Northland	10	3	1	6	206	214	-8	1	4	19
11	Tasman	10	2	0	8	184	262	-59	0	4	12
12	Manawatu	10	2	1	7	158	331	-173	1	0	11
13	Bay of Plenty	10	1	0	9	154	297	-143	2	3	9
14	Counties Manukau	10	0	1	9	130	348	-218	0	0	2

2008 Air New Zealand Cup Standings
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Wellington (RS)	10	9	0	1	353	161	+192	8	0	44
2	Canterbury	10	9	0	1	270	101	+169	5	1	42
3	Hawke's Bay	10	7	0	3	265	183	+82	5	1	34
4	Bay of Plenty	10	6	0	4	185	152	+33	2	3	28
5	Southland	10	6	0	4	225	249	−24	3	1	25
6	Waikato	10	4	1	5	258	235	+23	5	2	25
7	Tasman	10	4	1	5	188	200	−12	2	3	23
8	Taranaki	10	4	1	5	201	209	−8	3	2	23

9	Northland	10	4	0	6	212	227	−15	3	3	22
10	Otago	10	4	1	5	207	231	−24	2	2	22
11	Auckland	10	5	0	5	149	193	−44	2	0	22
12	North Harbour	10	3	0	7	225	285	−61	3	4	19
13	Counties-Manukau	10	2	1	7	140	317	−177	1	2	13
14	Manawatu	10	1	1	8	149	283	−134	2	1	9

The 2007 season was disappointing for the Makos, finishing the season with a record of 2 wins and 8 losses. Wins came against Hawke's Bay and Manawatu, with close losses against Waikato and Canterbury.

Early on in the 2008 season, the NZRFU announced that Tasman and Northland would be relegated from the competition at the end of the season, due to failing to meet a set of criteria including financial stability. With the axe hovering over them, the Makos produced their best season yet, silencing their critics. In round 2 against Waikato, Tasman first five Miah Nikora nailed a stunning last minute drop-goal to snatch a 14–16 victory and claim the Makos first scalp over a major union. This was followed with wins over Taranaki, Northland, Manawatu and a draw against Otago to see the Makos finish the season 7th on the ladder. Facing a strong Canterbury side in the quarter-finals, the Makos went down 48–10. However, their strong season coupled with public pressure forced the NZRFU to reverse its decision and announce that Tasman and Northland would remain in the competition.

2009 / 2010

2009 Air New Zealand Cup Standings
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Canterbury	13	10	0	3	369	231	138	4	3	47
2	Wellington	13	9	0	4	362	237	125	5	2	43
3	Southland (RS)	13	9	1	3	260	189	71	2	1	41
4	Hawke's Bay	13	8	1	4	372	256	116	6	1	41
5	Auckland	13	8	0	5	272	223	49	3	4	39
6	Waikato	13	8	0	5	285	297	−12	4	0	36
7	Bay of Plenty	13	7	0	6	268	267	1	1	3	32
8	Taranaki	13	6	1	6	252	251	1	1	1	28

9	Tasman	13	6	0	7	243	260	−17	2	2	28
10	Otago	13	5	0	8	260	283	−23	2	5	27
11	Manawatu	13	4	0	9	305	362	−57	3	5	24
12	North Harbour	13	4	0	9	244	320	−76	0	4	20
13	Northland	13	3	1	9	226	341	−115	0	2	16
14	Counties Manukau	13	2	0	11	235	436	−201	2	2	12

2010 ITM Cup Standings
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Canterbury (RS)	13	9	1	3	372	290	+82	42	31	6	1	45
2	Auckland	13	9	1	3	352	200	+152	37	16	5	2	45
3	Waikato	13	9	1	3	351	245	+106	37	27	5	1	44
4	Wellington	13	8	0	5	375	296	+79	48	31	6	4	42
5	Taranaki	13	9	0	4	347	306	+41	42	33	5	1	42
6	Bay of Plenty	13	7	0	6	341	303	+38	45	32	6	3	37
7	Southland	13	8	0	5	253	255	–2	26	25	2	0	34
8	Hawke's Bay	13	5	3	5	292	287	+5	31	35	4	3	33

9	Counties Manukau	13	6	0	7	296	313	–17	33	37	4	3	31
10	Northland	13	5	0	8	372	334	+38	45	38	5	4	29
11	North Harbour	13	4	0	9	359	461	–102	38	60	3	2	21
12	Tasman	13	4	0	9	229	340	–111	24	39	1	3	20
13	Manawatu	13	3	0	10	272	423	–151	30	55	3	3	18
14	Otago	13	2	0	11	223	381	–158	23	42	0	2	10

There were doubts as to whether Tasman would contest the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup, with funding issues and disagreement amongst its stakeholders on its future. However, these disputes were resolved and Tasman finished the 2009 season in 9th place with 6 wins and 7 losses, with their most memorable performance coming in round 9 against Auckland. Tasman won 12–8 in the most significant result of their short history. The Makos had come from the brink of extinction to topple the biggest union in the country.

2010 was disappointing for the Makos, finishing the season in 12th place on the ladder with just 4 wins, failing to hold on to their mid-table status achieved in the previous two seasons. However, the Makos managed to upset eventual champions and neighbours Canterbury in round 4, with a famous 27–25 victory at Trafalgar Park.

2011 / 2012

2011 ITM Cup Championship Standings
Pos	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Manawatu	10	7	0	3	281	246	+35	33	27	4	1	33
2	Hawke's Bay	10	6	0	4	298	213	+85	34	24	4	1	29
3	Otago	10	5	0	5	223	224	−1	21	26	2	2	24
4	Counties Manukau	10	4	0	6	235	262	−27	23	25	3	3	22

5	Northland	10	4	0	6	227	279	−52	25	34	1	2	19
6	North Harbour	10	2	0	8	245	319	−74	28	37	4	2	14
7	Tasman	10	2	0	8	198	280	−82	19	32	1	4	13

2012 ITM Cup Championship Standings
Pos	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Counties Manukau	10	6	0	4	317	227	+90	36	23	7	3	34
2	Otago	10	5	0	5	292	285	+7	26	31	4	2	26
3	Tasman	10	5	0	5	209	227	−18	24	22	2	2	24
4	Southland	10	4	0	6	150	276	−126	14	34	1	2	19

5	Northland	10	3	0	7	225	319	−94	26	34	3	2	17
6	Manawatu	10	3	0	7	198	321	−123	20	41	2	2	16
7	North Harbour	10	1	0	9	205	307	−102	25	36	2	3	9

In 2011, despite just 2 wins and 14th spot, the Tasman Makos in were well received by their fans by playing a positive attacking brand of rugby that included 4 losses by 4 points or less. Famous victories were achieved against Hawkes Bay 21–19 and Auckland (again) 30–28. Shane Christie and James Marshall were selected for the New Zealand Sevens team. 2012 season This was to be their best year ever with 5 wins from 10 matches and making the semi-final of the Championship (a loss to Otago by 34–41). Victories included defeats of Premiership teams Canterbury 25–22 and Bay of Plenty 17–3, while Tasman went down in an epic Ranfurly Shield challenge 40–49 to Taranaki.

Shane Christie & Quentin MacDonald were selected to represent the Maori All Blacks for the end of year tour to the United Kingdom. Eight players earned Super Rugby contracts for 2013 (up from 3 players in 2012): Shane Christie, Jordan Taufua, Tom Marshall, Jeremy Su'a (Crusaders); Joe Wheeler, Sam Prattley (Highlanders); Quentin MacDonald, Tim Perry (Blues). Peter Betham returned to Australia to take up a Waratahs contract.

2013 / 2014

2013 ITM Cup Championship Standings
Pos	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Tasman	10	8	0	2	333	186	+147	35	17	4	0	36
2	Otago	10	6	0	4	304	305	−1	29	34	4	2	30
3	Hawke's Bay	10	6	0	4	272	204	+68	30	21	3	2	29
4	Southland	10	4	0	6	202	232	−30	21	22	2	2	20

5	Manawatu	10	4	0	6	189	340	−151	23	44	1	1	18
6	Northland	10	2	1	7	184	275	−91	19	32	1	2	13
7	North Harbour	10	1	1	8	193	330	−137	20	42	1	3	10

2014 ITM Cup Premiership Standings
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Taranaki	10	7	1	2	321	197	+124	7	1	38
2	Tasman	10	7	1	2	326	194	+132	6	2	38
3	Canterbury	10	7	0	3	337	205	+132	4	2	34
4	Auckland	10	6	1	3	288	225	+63	4	0	30

5	Counties Manukau	10	5	1	4	251	192	+59	4	2	28
6	Waikato	10	4	0	6	220	321	–101	3	2	21

7	Wellington	10	1	0	9	214	381	–167	1	2	7

2013 season Culminating with winning the ITM Cup Championship Final, 2013 was the most remarkable season in the Tasman Makos eight years since inception. Team and personal bests have been broken at every turn.

Right from the start of planning coaches Kieran Keane and Leon MacDonald knew they were onto something special. The squad being assembled included 18 players who had previously been with the Makos and so they knew the philosophy and systems espoused by Keane & MacDonald.

There were a core of players who had ITM Cup match experience of between 30 ~ 50 games. Three of these – Quentin MacDonald, Joe Wheeler and Alex Ainley – joined the 50 Game Blazer group during the season (a select group also comprising Robbie Malneek, Jonathan Poff, Mark Bright and Andrew Goodman).

The support team has been largely intact for a number of seasons with coach Keane, manager Jenelle Strickland and sports scientist Brodie Hewlett also earning their 50 Game Blazers (joining assistant manager Brett Thornalley and physio Candace Donovan).

With such a strong core at their disposal the team embarked on the 2013 season with confidence.

The Makos finished the regular season top of the table in 2014. They then managed to beat Canterbury 26–6 in the Semi Final, but unfortunately lost to Taranaki 36–32 in the Premiership Final.

2015

2015 ITM Cup Premiership Standings
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Canterbury	10	9	0	1	307	177	+130	6	1	43
2	Auckland	10	7	1	2	339	232	+107	5	2	37
3	Tasman	10	7	0	3	331	236	+95	7	0	35
4	Taranaki	10	6	0	4	290	175	+115	5	3	32

5	Counties Manukau	10	4	0	6	248	262	–14	5	2	23
6	Waikato (RS)	10	4	0	6	225	281	–56	3	2	21

7	Manawatu	10	3	0	7	248	367	–119	5	2	19

Tasman had a good 2015 season, with wins over Waikato 20–35, Bay of Plenty 34–13, Manawatu 41–21, Otago 17–34, Wellington 17–36 & North Harbour 39–20 before they were finally held to their first loss coming 19–28 to Auckland at Trafalgar Park. The Makos also fell 42–33 to Counties Manukau and 25–41 to Canterbury. The Makos came away victorious though the next week with a solid 17–35 win over Taranaki. Tasman however lost to Auckland 44–24 in the Premiership Semi Final at Eden Park, finishing the season with 7 wins & 4 losses.

2016

2016 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Standings
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Canterbury (RS)	10	8	0	2	397	219	+178	7	1	40
2	Taranaki	10	7	1	2	338	259	+79	5	2	37
3	Tasman	10	7	1	2	306	234	+72	3	1	34
4	Counties Manukau	10	6	0	4	284	234	+50	6	4	34

5	Waikato	10	5	1	4	269	259	+10	6	2	30
6	Auckland	10	5	0	5	335	302	+33	7	3	30

7	Hawke's Bay	10	2	0	8	253	385	–132	4	3	15

Players missing from last year were Robbie Malneek, Trent Renata, Joe Wheeler, Marco Kotze, Quentin MacDonald (all overseas), Mitchell Scott (Otago) and Jimmy Cowan (Southland). Debutants with previous first-class experience were Mitchell Hunt (Auckland), Andrew Makalio (Wairapa-Bush) and Tim O’Malley.

Tasman had great strength in the loose forwards. Shane Christie led the side splendidly, a fine example to the rest of the forwards with his driving play and mobility. Vernon Fredricks was playing well at number eight until his season ended with injury. Peter Samu was shifted there and figured prominently, as did Tevita Koloamatangi at blindside flanker. Due to All Blacks selection, Liam Squire (# 1151 – 8 Tests, 1 try) did not play for the Makos.

With Alex Ainley missing most of the first half of the season with injury (returning to captain the side in two matches), debutant Quinten Strange suddenly had the responsibility thrust upon him of being the number one lock, and responded superbly. The NZ Rugby Almanack selected Strange as one of its five Promising Players of the Year.

The Makos had four Super Rugby props to choose from with Tim Perry and Ross Geldenhuys getting the starts and Kane Hames and Siosiua Halanukonuka coming off the bench. It was a surprise that Hames only started once despite the temporary call up into the All Blacks to make his Test debut (# 1152 – 1 Test), as he is one of the top scrummagers in the country. At hooker Andrew Makalio was full of powerful running and big tackling, but his lineout throwing was variable.

Marty Banks once again made an enormous difference, to the team at first five-eighth, being the top points scorer in the Mitre 10 Cup competition. In his final season for the Makos, he departs leaving a number of scoring records for the Union, all achieved in just four seasons. At halfback, newcomer Finlay Christie was initially preferred, but Billy Guyton soon established himself as number one, bringing more physicality and control to the position. The midfield comprised the seasoned Kieron Fonotia and David Havili while Alex Nankivell was in his second season, with Havili probably the most consistent.

Injury affected all three wingers Tima Faingaanuku, James Lowe and Viliami Lolohea, with Faingaanuku looking an exciting prospect in his debut season with strong aggressive running. Caleb Makene was brought in on loan (from Canterbury) as injury cover and made a favourable impression as well. Mitchell Hunt had an excellent season at fullback, looking better there than at first five-eighth when Banks was unavailable.

2017

2017 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Standings
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Taranaki (RS)	11	8	0	3	454	372	+82	10	0	42
2	Canterbury	12	10	0	2	480	259	+221	9	0	41
3	North Harbour	11	8	0	3	355	258	+97	4	1	37
4	Tasman	12	7	0	5	318	370	–52	7	0	31

5	Counties Manukau	10	5	1	4	257	297	–40	4	1	27
6	Auckland	10	3	0	7	235	298	–63	4	2	18

7	Waikato	10	2	0	8	213	293	–80	5	4	17

For the third time in the last four years Tasman went all the way to the Premiership Final to indicate a successful season, but it was one of mixed effort. There was a slow start with two opening defeats followed by a win over Waikato when Waikato missed a last- minute conversion to draw. From the Wellington match onwards the side hit form, coming from 13-28 down to win 37-35 and inflict the only defeat of the season on the rampant eventual Championship winners.

The defeat to Counties Manukau in the final round robin match was endured with a semi-final spot already assured and a number of leading players being rested. The semi-final win against their more fancied opponents Taranaki at New Plymouth was a very gusty effort, however, the performance in the final was below expectations.

Regulars from 2016 who did not return were Kieron Fonotia, Marty Banks, Tevita Kolamatangi, Ross Geldenhuys (all overseas) and Caleb Makene (Canterbury). This was balanced by the return of Ti'i Paulo and Robbie Malneek from overseas, and Jordan Taufua from Counties Manukau, while New Zealand-born Levi Aumua arrived from Brisbane and Tyrel Lomax from Super Rugby team Melbourne Rebels.

With the departure overseas of Marty Banks, Mitchell Hunt stepped into first five-eighth having played most of his rugby for Tasman previously at fullback. He grew in stature the more the season progressed, culminating in a standout performance in the semi-final win over Taranaki, ending the season as one of the best first five-eighths in the Mitre 10 Cup.

The exciting 19-year-old Will Jordan, in his debut season, caught the eye with his speed and penetration at fullback. Another newcomer, Levi Aumua impressed at centre with strong running and powerful tackling. He had a memorable match against Otago when he shrugged off six tackles to score a try followed by a later red card for a dump tackle and subsequent three-match suspension. Alex Nankivell has a steady season at second five-eighth, missing just one match.

James Lowe was the best of the wings, being back to his effervescent best after last years injury woes while David Havili only managed one appearance due to All Black duties. Billy Guyton was in fine form at halfback, having a good combination with Mitchell Hunt, and it was a pity he was injured at the tail end of the season.

Losing captain Shane Christie for the season due to injury was a real blow, but the loose forward combinations of Jordan Taufua, Peter Samu, Vernon Fredericks and Ethan Blackadder competed well, with Taufua and Blackadder to the fore. At lock Alex Ainley, at the age of 36, was playing as well as ever, and with Quinten Strange affected by a shoulder injury, the versatile lock/loose forward Shannon Frizell stepped up very ably in partnering Ainley.

Tim Perry was a strong scrummager at loose head prop who missed the final due to All Blacks call-up. Tighthead prop Siosiua Halanukonuka had an injury – plagued season, but this allowed 21-year-old Tyrel Lomax, son of Kiwis rugby league rep John Lomax, who arrived from Australia with a promising reputation, to make a good impression. In Andrew Makalio and the returning Ti’i Paulo, Tasman had two capable hookers, with Makalio showing up well against North Harbour and in the semi-final

At the end of the 2017 season, the Tasman Rugby Union announced the team would be rebranded as the Tasman Mako (instead of Makos), to reflect the correct plural of the word in the Māori language.^[2]

2018

2018 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership Standings
#	Team	GP	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	BP1	BP2	PTS
1	Auckland	10	9	0	1	343	209	+134	9	1	46
2	Tasman	10	9	0	1	319	195	+124	7	0	43
3	Canterbury	10	8	0	2	325	212	+113	8	1	41
4	Wellington	10	6	0	4	354	202	+152	7	3	34

5	North Harbour	10	6	0	4	317	297	+20	6	0	30
6	Counties Manukau	10	2	0	8	218	275	-57	3	6	17

7	Taranaki	10	2	0	8	203	335	-132	3	2	13

2018 Top Try Scorers

Pos	Name	Club	Try
1	Will Jordan	Nelson	9
2	Solomon Alaimalo	Nelson	4
3	Mitchell Hunt	Stoke	4
4	Andrew Makalio	Marist	4
5	Quinten Strange	Nelson	3

2018-08-18
7:35 pm

Tasman Mako	25 – 17	Canterbury
Tries: Solomon Alaimalo, Levi Aumua, Quinten Strange Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2) Con: Mitchell Hunt (2)		Tries: Greg Pleasants-Tate (2) Pen: Brett Cameron Con: Brett Cameron (2)

Lansdowne Park, Blenhiem
Referee: Richard Kelly

2018-08-26
2:05 pm

Tasman Mako	45 – 24	Southland Stags
Tries: Solomon Alaimalo, Sione Havili, Will Jordan (2), Andrew Makalio, Quinten Strange (2) Con: Tim O'Malley (4), Mitchell Hunt		Tries: Matt Johnson, Tony Lamborn, Maanaki Selby-Rickit, Rory van Vugt Con: James Wilson (2)

Lansdowne Park, Blenhiem
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown

2018-09-01
7:35 pm

North Harbour	20 – 32	Tasman Mako
Tries: Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Matt Duffie Pen: Bryn Gatland (2) Con: Bryn Gatland (2)		Tries: Finlay Christie, Tima Faingaanuku, Shannon Frizell, Will Jordan Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2) Con: Mitchell Hunt (3)

QBE Stadium, Albany
Referee: Glen Jackson

2018-09-07
7:45 pm

Auckland	36 – 10	Tasman Mako
Tries: Akira Ioane, Melani Nanai, Patrick Tuipulotu (3) Pen: Harry Plummer Con: Harry Plummer (4)		Tries: Ethan Blackadder Pen: Mitchell Hunt Con: Mitchell Hunt

Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Nick Hogan

2018-09-14
7:45 pm

Tasman Mako	53 – 17	Taranaki Bulls
Tries: Solomon Alaimalo, David Havili, Mitchell Hunt, Will Jordan Tyrel Lomax, Andrew Makalio (2) Pen: Mitchell Hunt Con: Mitchell Hunt (5), Tim O'Malley		Tries: Ciarahn Matoe, Kane Thompson Pen: Beaudein Waaka Con: Beaudein Waaka (2)

Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown

2018-09-19
7:35 pm

Manawatu Turbos	19 – 29	Tasman Mako
Tries: Michael Alaalatoa, Sam Malcolm, Michael Tagicakibau Con: Otere Black, Sam Malcolm		Tries: Levi Aumua, Mitchell Hunt, Will Jordan, Jamie Spowart Pen: Mitchell Hunt Con: Mitchell Hunt, Tim O'Malley (2)

Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

2018-09-23
2:05 pm

Tasman Mako	21 – 19	Counties Manukau Steelers
Tries: Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Wyatt Crockett, Will Jordan Con: Mitchell Hunt (3)		Tries: Sione Molia, Tevita Nabura, Joe Royal Con: Luteru Laulala (2)

Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Referee: Tim Griffiths

2018-09-29
7:35 pm

Wellington Lions	22 – 28	Tasman Mako
Tries: Jackson Garden-Bachop, Xavier Numia, Galu Taufale, Thomas Umaga-Jensen Pen: Jackson Garden-Bachop Con: Jackson Garden-Bachop (2)		Tries: John Akau'ola-Laula, Solomon Alaimalo, Finlay Christie, Jacob Norris Pen: Mitchell Hunt (2) Con: Mitchell Hunt

Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Referee: Nick Briant

2018-10-07
4:35 pm

Otago	21 – 47	Tasman Mako
Tries: Matt Faddes, Slade McDowall, Sio Tomkinson Con: Vilimoni Koroi, Sio Tomkinson (2)		Tries: David Havili, Mitchell Hunt, Will Jordan (3), Andrew Makalio, Tima Faingaanuku Con: Mitchell Hunt (6)

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Referee: Paul Williams

2018-10-11
7:35 pm

Tasman Mako	29 – 0	Hawkes Bay Magpies
Tries: Jack Grooby, Mitchell Hunt, Pari Pari Parkinson, Tim O'Malley Pen: Mitchell Hunt Con: Mitchell Hunt (3)

Trafalgar Park, Nelson
Referee: Mike Fraser

2018-10-20
pm

Tasman Mako	0 – 0	Canterbury
Tries: Pen: Con:	Semi Final	Tries: Pen: Con:

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

Ranfurly Shield

Tasman has not held the Ranfurly Shield but Marlborough held the shield for six challenges in 1973.

Tasman have been involved in just two Ranfurly Shield challenges since the union's inception in 2006. Tasman lost their first challenge 26–20 at the hands of Wellington in 2008 and their second challenge 49–40 to Taranaki in 2012.

All Blacks

#	Name	Debut	Caps
1091	Wyatt Crockett	2009	71
1151	Liam Squire	2016	20
1152	Kane Hames	2016	9
1161	David Havili	2017	5
1162	Tim Perry	2017	5
1172	Shannon Frizell	2018	4

Player Records

Top Points Scorers

#	Name	Club	Points
1	Marty Banks	Waimea OB	640
2	Andrew Goodman	Nelson	288
3	Mitchell Hunt	Stoke	231
4	Robbie Malneek	Nelson	125
5	Tom Marshall	Nelson	124

Top Try Scorers

#	Name	Club	Trys
1	Robbie Malneek	Nelson	25
2	James Lowe	Waimea OB	21
3	Will Jordan	Nelson	14
4	Peter Samu	Waimea OB	13
5	Marty Banks	Waimea OB	12

Most Caps

#	Name	Club	Caps
1	Robbie Malneek	Nelson	104
2	Alex Ainley	Wanderers	91
3	Shane Christie	Stoke	76
4	Kieron Fonotia	Nelson	65
5	Tim Perry	Nelson	61

Current Squad

The Tasman squad for the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup is:^[3]

Tasman Mako Squad
Props Ryan Coxon Wyatt Crockett (VC) Kane Hames Tyrel Lomax Tim Perry Blair Prinsep Isaac Salmon Hookers Andrew Makalio Ray Niuia Locks Alex Ainley Pari Pari Parkinson Quinten Strange	Loose Forwards Ethan Blackadder Jed Brown Vernon Fredericks Shannon Frizell Sione Havili Liam Squire Jordan Taufua Halfbacks Finlay Christie Billy Guyton First Fives Mitchell Hunt (VC) Tim O'Malley	Centres Levi Aumua David Havili (C) Alex Nankivell Rupena Parkinson Outside Backs Solomon Alaimalo Leicester Fainga'anuku Tima Fainga'anuku Will Jordan

(C) denotes team captain, (VC) denotes team vice-captain and Bold denotes player is internationally capped

Short Term
John Akau'ola-Laula Tomas Aoake Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta Mike Curry Benji Finau Taina Fox-Matamua Jack Grooby Willy Havili Isaiah Miller Jacob Norris Jamie Spowart Braden Stewart

2018 Squad Changes

In

Name	Country	From
Solomon Alaimalo	New Zealand	Northland
Jed Brown	New Zealand	Canterbury
Wyatt Crockett	New Zealand	Canterbury
Leicester Fainga'anuku	New Zealand
Sione Havili	New Zealand	Auckland
Rupena Parkinson	New Zealand
Ray Niuia	New Zealand	North Harbour

Out

Name	To
Tom Hill	Otago
Trael Joass	Bay of Plenty
Viliami Lolohea	Tonga
James Lowe	Leinster
Ti'i Paulo	Retired
Peter Samu	Australia

Sub Unions

References

↑ Our Badge of Courage .. The Mako, Tasman Mako, 10 August 2018 Text " http://www.mako.nz/about " ignored (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
↑ "It's Mako, not Makos [The Spinoff]" (Press release). Tasman Mako. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
↑ "2018 Tasman Mako squad announced" (Press release). Tasman Mako. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.

External Links

Official union site

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[Our_Badge_of_Courage_.._The_Mako-1] Our Badge of Courage .. The Mako, Tasman Mako, 10 August 2018 Text " http://www.mako.nz/about " ignored (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)

[It’s_Mako,_not_Makos_[The_Spinoff]-2] "It's Mako, not Makos [The Spinoff]" (Press release). Tasman Mako. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.

[2018_Tasman_Mako_squad_announced-3] "2018 Tasman Mako squad announced" (Press release). Tasman Mako. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.