Stephen Stuart
"We love playing in the rain."
A drenched Tasman Mako captain Finlay Christie succinctly summing up his side's polished 31-17 performance over a sloppy Auckland on Wednesday night.
Before the match injured skipper Quinten Strange suggested the rain had made the Trafalgar Park surface really greasy, conditions that played in to the home side's game plan.
"It just so happens we have had lots of wet weather footie. We know the formula but it's one thing to know it and another to put it out there. Pretty proud of the effort," Mako coach Gray Cornelius says,
"We just knew if we could weather that first half into a pretty hefty breeze, we could hang on in the second spell," Finlay adds.
Hang on, they took complete control in the third quarter with sharpshooter Willy Havili slotting four consecutive penalty goals.
"Me and Finlay talked about it. If we got penalties within 50 metres of the posts, we will take those shots at goal. I am pretty confident within that range," Willy explains.
So why didn't they take two kickable penalties in the first half.
"We just wanted to try and keep Auckland down its end while they had the wind. Apply pressure and try and come away with five pointers," Willy says.
There was plenty of chat on the park with most of it directed at former Mako player Anton Segner.
"We reminded him of what could have been if only he stayed," Finlay smiles.
He relished the battle with many of his Blues teammates.
"Going up against mates make it a bit. That's what footy is all about."
Finlay played down his huge defensive efforts, preferring to talk up his forwards.
"The big boys put in a hell of a shift against that big Auckland pack. They stood up. It was awesome."
The Ranfurly Shield goes on the line again this Sunday against reigning NPC champions Taranaki.
"They bring a different style of rugby which is exciting. It should be another ding dong battle. Hopefully the crowd is back on Sunday," Gray Cornelius says.
Sentiments shared by Tasman Rugby chief executive Steve Mitchell.
"We pre-sold 4,000 tickets for Wednesday night and given the conditions, the turnout was really pleasing. It won't be so cold on Sunday afternoon so hopefully we get a good crowd," Steve comments.
Another victory would ensure the Mako wins the NPC Premiership and is in pole position for the play-offs.
"The union has worked really hard reconnecting with the community this year and that's pad off."
