Tasman Makos: News

Time to Break the Hoodoo
10-Sep-2009

John Alexander Marlborough Express
The Tasman Makos team owe their supporters a decent performance at Lansdowne Park.

The side did extremely well last year to make the quarterfinals. This year they have continued that good form to be fifth on the Air New Zealand Cup points table heading into tomorrow night's game against Waikato.

While they are unbeaten at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, they have not won a match at Lansdowne Park since August 10, 2007 when they downed Hawke's Bay 23-17.

Since then they have lost seven on the trot, including this season's opener against Taranaki, and they have scored just one try in the last four games and none in the last three.

Prop Tristan Moran has been there for all of those matches and he is keen to help turn that record around against Waikato.

"It was our aim to make Lansdowne Park a bit of a cauldron for us and it kind of hasn't happened, so it would be good to get over to Blenheim and get a win and bring the people back into the stands. Make the people really proud of us."

Makos co-coach Kieran Keane lives in Marlborough and he is also fully aware of the disappointing record here.

"It's not a big focus. We are focusing on issues within the game but we desperately want to perform for our home crowd at either venue.

"We are mindful our record in Blenheim isn't great. It's a hoodoo we'd like to put to bed."

Keane and co-coach Bevan Cadwallader have made just one change to the starting 15 from the side which beat Manawatu last week. Matty James comes in at first-five, skipper Andrew Goodman shifts back to his regular midfield position and Sione Holani is dropped from the 22. Centre Kade Poki returns to the bench after missing last week through injury, openside flanker Zane Winslade replaces Daniel Hyatt on the bench and Marlborough teenager Jesse MacDonald has been brought onto the bench after an ankle injury to hooker Dan Perrin. Jesse and starting hooker Quentin MacDonald are the first brothers to represent the Makos.

Keane is expecting a tough old battle from the Mooloo men.

"They are a very big physical pack and very speedy out wide. A number of threats all around the park. But we aren't intimidated.

"It's just how we cope and deal with it and what we do with our our own organisation. We've got a bit of belief and hopefully that will manifest itself in how we play."

Waikato are without all of their All Blacks for this clash, hooker Aled de Malmanche, Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu. Former All Black No8 Sione Lauaki is injured, as is former Makos prop Ben May. Former Makos loose forward Jack Lam is playing openside flanker and his dual with Jonathan Poff at the breakdown will be a key factor.
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Waikato still boast several Super 14 players, including ex-All Black lock Kevin O'Neill. Skipper and flanker Liam Messam, an All Black earlier this year, was the difference when Waikato beat the Makos two years ago in Blenheim.

There is pace to burn in an exciting backline with fullback Soseni Anesi, wing Henry Speight and halfback David Bason all threats, along with experienced midfielder Callum Bruce.

The Makos will have to be on top of their game against an in-form side which won well against Hawke's Bay last week.

However, the Makos should take some comfort from the fact they beat Waikato in Hamilton last year and currently lie fifth on the points table, three points clear of the Mooloo men.

If the Makos beat Waikato, if Wellington lose to Taranaki and Otago beats Canterbury the Makos could sit as high as second on the Air New Zealand Cup points table at the end of this week's round.

BIG MATCH FACTS

Tasman Makos: Robbie Malneek, James Kamana, Afeleki Pelenise, Andrew Goodman (cpt), Blair Cook, Matty James, Kahn Fotuali'i, Mark Bright, Jonathan Poff, Glen Gregory, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Tristan Moran, Quentin MacDonald, Sakaria Taulafo Subs: Jesse MacDonald, Hamish Cochrane, Anthony Elisala, Zane Winslade, Shaun Begg, Kade Poki, Lucky Mulipola

Waikato: Soseni Anesi, Henry Speight, Save Tokula, Callum Bruce, Alesana Muliaina, Trent Renata, David Bason, Alex Bradley, Jack Lam, Liam Messam (cpt), Toby Lynn, Kevin O'Neill, Nathan White, Ole Avei, Hikairo Forbes Subs: Vern Kamo/Nick Seymour, Latu Talakai, Kent Fife, Jordan Smiler, Tawera Kerr Barlow, Dwayne Sweeny, Tim Mikkelson

Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)

Weather forecast: Rain developing about the Sounds and western ranges, spreading elsewhere for a time then clearing at night. North-westerly, strong in exposed places. Temperature range 9-18 degrees Celsius.

TAB odds: Waikato $1.65 Tasman Makos $2.15. Best try-scoring bet: Makos prop Tristan Moran $50

Kick-off time: 7.35pm Friday

Bad run The Tasman Makos have lost seven games on the trot at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim since beating Hawke's Bay 23-17 on August 10, 2007. They have not scored a try at the ground since last season's opener against BoP.

Results since their last win at Lansdowne Park: 2007 v BOP lost 26-36 v Waikato lost 23-25 v Canterbury lost 14-21 2008 v BOP lost 7-8 v Hawke's Bay lost 6-41 v Southland lost 3-6 2009 v Taranaki lost 9-21.