Tasman Makos: News

Maori side returns with shield
29-Feb-2008

The Tasman senior Maori rugby team has brought home the Te Waipounamu Shield after two wins in Timaru.

It was one of three teams representing the Tasman Rugby Union at Saturday's Te Waipounamu (South Island) Maori rugby tournament, with Tasman also fielding women's and colts' teams.

The Tasman senior Maori team enjoyed a resounding 41-7 win over the Aoraki Maori side in its qualifying game with Ammon Matuauto and Dave Posa the stand out players scoring two tries each.

The final was against Southland Maori and was a much closer contest. Tasman Mako Kahu Marfell provided the points differential in the 17-10 win by successfully converting both of Tasman's tries and one penalty.

The Tasman Maori colts and women's sides did not enjoy as much success at the tournament. The colts played two qualifying games against Canterbury and Southland and narrowly lost both. The Tasman women played two tough qualifying games against Canterbury and Otago but were also unsuccessful.

The Te Waipounamu Maori team is selected from the outstanding players of this tournament and go on to compete for the Manny McDonald Challenge Cup, the Prince of Wales Cup and the George Nepia Memorial Shield - all of which are held by Te Waipounamu. Six players from the Tasman senior team have been selected - Gavin Briggs, Shane Christie, Kahu Marfell, Pa Thompson, James Foster and Nic Makea. The Tasman senior Maori coach, Wayne Abbott, was named as coach.

Several players from both the colts and women's sides were also selected to represent Te Waipounamu. Quentin MacDonald, Ryan Shelford, Kerrion Ross, Ammon Matuauto and Katene Ruawai were named in the colts' side and Maria Briggs and Dana Wilson in the women's.

Ammon Matuauto was also named colts player of the tournament.

The first games for the Te Waipounamu teams will be held on March 8 in Palmerston North against Te Tini A Maui (Central North Island).