Tasman Makos: News

Makos in for Kill
08-Sep-2009

John Alexander - Marlborough Express
The Tasman Makos moved to within striking distance of the top four in the Air New Zealand Cup (ANZC) rugby competition after Saturday's comprehensive 34-15 win over Manawatu at a sun-drenched Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

In front of a crowd of about 5500, the Makos bounced back from narrow losses to Canterbury and Hawke's Bay to bag their second successive four try-plus bonus point at Trafalgar Park and maintain their unbeaten cup record at the ground.

Once again, the Makos prove they are not to be trifled with and now sit fifth on the table, two behind Wellington. The Makos have scored 160 points so far, only Canterbury with 165 having scored more.

The loss of 2008 All Black prop Ben Franks to a season-ending injury last week against Hawke's Bay was a major blow to the Makos, but his replacement at tighthead, Tristan Moran, loosehead prop Sakaria Taulafo and hooker Quentin MacDonald responded brilliantly.

Not only did they anchor a dominant scrum against Manawatu, but their work rate, skills and impact in general play were significant factors in a match which kept the big crowd entertained throughout.

The Makos' lineouts worked smoothly for the most part, Joe Wheeler at lock making the calls and turning in arguably his best match in the Makos jumper.

The loose-forward trio of Mark Bright and flankers Jonathan Poff and Glen Gregory had a great platform to work off and made it count.

Manawatu were never able to really get into the match, apart from a period in the third quarter when they got within seven points at 15-22 following replacement midfielder Frank Bryant's try.

Andrew Goodman landed a 14th minute penalty and two minutes later, Gregory charged over, Bright's clean break setting up the opportunity.

Bright was again to the fore when the Makos were over again in the 21st minute, the opportunity stemming from a partial charge down by MacDonald of Aaron Cruden's 22-metre dropout. Centre Afeleki Pelenise took the ball on the end of the move to score.

Manawatu rarely threatened on attack, but the one time they did in the first half, they capitalised, lock Reece Robinson scoring after a 5m scrum and a couple of charges at the line.

Winger Andre Taylor came close on another occasion, Makos fullback Robbie Malneek saving the day.

The second half began in rather helter-skelter fashion, both teams losing their structure as they attacked and counter-attacked in between missed tackles and errors.

Wing Andre Taylor broke clean through for Manawatu, but lost support and an almost certain try went begging. Cruden also cut through, but a shoddy pass from his outsides ruined another golden try-scoring opportunity.

Lock Alex Ainley spends most of his time grafting away at the all-important tight phases but 13 minutes into the half, he showed his running skills, bursting clear off a great pass from MacDonald and fending off a couple of Manawatu defenders to score.

At 22-5 ahead, the Makos looked safe, but Manawatu clawed back to 15-22 via a Cruden penalty and a try to replacement back Bryant running on to a kick ahead by Johnny Leota after Cruden took a quick tap penalty.

The Makos turned on the pressure late in the game and that pressure was rewarded with a try to winger Blair Cook, Moran making the initial break and Wheeler's pass pin-point. Halfback Kahn Fotuali'i sealed the deal with a sixth try, latching on to a loose ball close to Manawatu's line as the visitors attempted to attack out of defence.

Coaches Kieran Keane and Bevan Cadwallader were obviously thrilled with the Makos' performance and it was very much a team effort.

Wheeler had a fabulous game at lock in tandem with Ainley, as did MacDonald at hooker and Gregory at six. Bright proved he is one of the most skilful No8s in the country and there was some good stuff from the backs, notably winger Cook, Goodman and halfback Fotuali'i.

The result continued a nightmare run for Manawatu against the Makos. In four ANZC outings since 2006, they have lost 0-43, 10-33, 7-36 and now 15-34.

The Turbos lacked intensity for much of the match and made far too many errors, although both teams were guilty of turning over possession at the breakdown.

Cruden is one of the up-and-coming stars of New Zealand rugby, but the first-five wasn't able to dictate without a solid forward base, although he still showed some classy touches. Aaron James was a handful on the wing.

Manawatu were outplayed up front and, with no go-forward platform, their choice of two openside flankers, Josh Bradnock and Doug Tietjens, didn't work as well as coach Dave Rennie would have hoped.

Rennie offered no excuses afterwards and was clearly very disappointed in his team's lacklustre performance.

The Makos would have enjoyed their team beach walk yesterday, shaking off the effects of the Manawatu match, but they have a short turnaround until Friday night's clash against Waikato at Lansdowne Park.

They emerged from the match without any further injuries. Centre Kade Poki may be available this week, but first five-eighth James Marshall is still struggling with his injured ankle.

The team will travel to Blenheim on Friday morning and base themselves at the Moutere Rugby Club at Awarua Park.

Coaches Keane and Cadwallader are expected to name their team for the Waikato match on Wednesday.

Keane said he hoped Marlborough people would come out in force to see their team play on Friday night.

BIG MATCH FACTS

Scorers Tasman Makos 34 (Glen Gregory, Afeleki Pelenise, Alex Ainley, Blair Cook, Kahn Fotuali'i tries, Andrew Goodman 3 con, pen) Manawatu 15 (Reece Robinson, Frank Bryant tries, Aaron Cruden con, pen). Half-time Tasman Makos 17-5. Man of the match: Tasman Makos hooker Quentin MacDonald. Key moment: Winger Blair Cook's try in the 74th minute, which snuffed out Manawatu's comeback. Stats: Territory: Makos 59 per cent Manawatu 41 per cent. Possession: Makos 51-49. Breakdowns: Makos 78-53. Penalties conceded: Makos 9-4. Handling errors: Makos 14-9. Missed tackles: Manawatu 18-7. Breakdown turnovers won: Makos 7-6. Lineouts: 13-11 Makos. Post-match comments Tasman Makos coach Kieran Keane: "I think the public realise we are not monkeys. We are a genuine team and we work really hard and we work together. I'm just pleased for the boys." Tasman Makos skipper Andrew Goodman: "Stoked to get five points out of that game. Massive loss with Franksy last week, but Zac and Twisty really stepped up and Quentin as well. It was awesome." Tasman Makos tighthead prop Tristan Moran: "I was just trying to do my best job for the team. I didn't really think about the responsibility. I just tried to do my core job. Good day to play footie. The sun on the back in front of a home crowd." Man of the match, Quentin MacDonald: "I loved getting a start, especially in this weather. Pretty happy. I just tried to hoe into it. Hopefully, I ironed out a few kinks. Good to get back on the winning track and hopefully we can continue right through." Manawatu coach Dave Rennie: "We had six kicks charged down in that first half. We put ourselves under a bloody lot of pressure and gave up some soft points. It was pretty average. We were outplayed today."