Tasman Makos: News

Makos have earned some respect
22-Oct-2009

Peter Jones - Marlborough Express
Someone suggested the other day that the Makos would be "playing for respect" tomorrow night. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Wins over Auckland, Waikato, Counties Manukau, Northland, Manawatu and North Harbour have already assured this gutsy outfit of respect by the truckload. They have won more Air New Zealand (ANZC) matches than any of their predecessors. Factor in a four-point loss to frontrunners Canterbury, plus a two-point defeat by Hawke's Bay, then judge the true measure of this side.

Consecutive losses in the deep south, coupled with an inability to score points, have persuaded a fickle few to hop off the Makos' bandwagon, which was happily chugging along in semifinal position three weeks ago.

It appears a combination of injuries to key players, fatigue and lack of depth have caught up with this over-achieving bunch – a side that captured the rugby public's imagination as they threatened to embarrass those who dared throw them out of the competition. Despite assurances to the contrary from within the camp, who knows what effect the pending executioner's axe has had on the mindset and motivation of the Makos in recent weeks, especially with the end of the road in sight?

Despite the obvious disappointments of the last two rounds, this is no time to lose faith.

It would be a huge thrill to cheer our local heroes to a fairytale victory over Wellington at Lansdowne, but there is much more at stake tomorrow evening than a third win over a "super" base.

Pre-match, NZRU boss Steve Tew will be presented with petitions signed by over 13,000 Makos supporters from across the region. They will demand their team be given the right to remain among the big boys of New Zealand rugby and not be relegated, primarily it seems, because of Tasman's small population base and financial failings of years gone by, caused in no small part by the NZRU's ridiculous criteria for entry to the ANZC in 2006.

Mr Tew will then join supporters of New Zealand's youngest union as they cheer on a team forged in adversity, representing the unholy alliance of two provincial unions – once bitter foes, but now, curiously, united against a common enemy, and I don't mean the Wellington Lions.

None of this country's provincial unions have had to endure the peculiar rite of passage travelled by Tasman.

Namely. Take two provinces who don't get on; build two multimillion-dollar stadiums, produce a team which can immediately compete with the provincial powerbases, establish a strong development base and make the books balance.

OK, the people of Marlborough and Nelson who were tasked with producing this modern-day miracle didn't always get it right. In fact, they were very nearly architects of their own demise.

But, despite it all, here we are – with an established, recognisable brand, generous sponsors, talented coaches and administrators, a hard-working board, passionate and loyal fans on both sides of the hill and a team that can play ball with anyone in the competition.

And Mr Tew and his merry men wonder why rugby folk in these parts are a trifle upset that with a stroke of a pen their hard work, blood, sweat and tears will have been for nowt.

News flash Steve: Tasman wasn't formed to play in a second-tier competition. If you think you can conjure up a "meaningful division one" competition from four mightily peeved off relegated sides and two vastly under-prepared promoted Heartland teams you are definitely out of touch with reality.

Speaking of reality, Mr Tew, have a good look around Lansdowne Park tomorrow. You'll see thousands of Marlborough and Nelson folk united behind a team which didn't even exist five years ago. You'll see excitement, emotion and grassroots rugby at its best.

If you look even closer, you'll see a huge opportunity to do what is best for rugby in this region – by leaving the Makos in a competition they definitely belong in.

Don't blink – or we'll miss it.