Tasman Makos: News

Stag beefs up Makos front row
08-Apr-2010

NELSON MAIL
The Tasman Makos' diminishing front-row resources have been boosted by the signing of Southland Stags prop Salafai Mika.

The 1.86-metre, 113-kilogram prop, known as Fai, has the ability to play on both sides of the scrum and will help to ease some of Tasman head coach Kieran Keane's immediate concerns after the off-season losses of Sakaria Taulafo (to London Wasps) and Tristan Moran (to Bay of Plenty), the ongoing back injury to New Zealand under-20 prop Hamish Cochrane, and the uncertainty surrounding potential All Black selection Ben Franks.

With Cochrane still undergoing rehabilitation after surgery and the possibility of losing Franks to the All Blacks, Keane said it was crucial to have someone of Mika's experience on the books.

Mika has played 29 games for Southland.

"We have some very good young people coming through, but we've lost two experienced props, and if we lose Ben Franks to the All Blacks, then we're going to look pretty thin," said Keane.

"So the thinking was to go with someone with a bit of experience, and fortunately, with our relationship with Southland, we were able to secure Fai.

"The fact that he plays both sides is just a bonus, really.

"It's been good for us to be able to secure somebody who's played [almost] 30 NPC games.

"He's a big boy and he can move around the park too, so we're just looking forward to getting our hands on him and getting him integrated into the group."

Of Samoan heritage, the 29-year-old prop was born in Lower Hutt but attended Papatoetoe High School and is a qualified teacher.

He will play for Stables Waimea Old Boys in this season's Nelson Bays division one club competition, but only after spending most of next month attempting to win selection in the Manu Samoa squad for next year's World Cup in a series of four trial games.

Keane said that while it was unfortunate that Mika would not be available for Waimea for several more weeks, the higher level of rugby he would play would benefit his preparation for this season's provincial campaign.

Mika played in 11 of Southland's games last season, starting at tighthead against North Harbour and at loosehead against Counties-Manukau. He came on as a sub in Southland's 41-0 win over Tasman in Invercargill.