The Tasman Mako coaches have gone with a six forwards/two backs split on the reserves bench for their first game of the season against Bay of Plenty in Tauranga on Sunday afternoon.
While returning All Black Sevens player Tone Ng Shiu will wear the No. 23 jersey, he is seen as loose forward cover.
“We have multiple backline options but at a real stretch, we could put Tone on the wing,” says backs coach Tom Marshall.
Although Tone reckons he is more of a midfield player if required.
All Black Timoci Tavatavanawai, who has been back training with the Mako for the past two weeks, is listed to start on the wing in what could be his only provincial match of the season.
“He’s always excited when he comes back. He always gives 100 hundred percent and he is awesome around the young boys. He is the ultimate team man,” enthuses Tom.
The Mako were forced to make a late change to their starting 15 when fullback Taine Robinson injured his hamstring at training today. He will be replaced by utility back Kyren Tamoefolau.
Halfback Finlay Christie has been installed as captain although the Mako management confirm they are anxious they might lose the former test player when the All Black side is announced on Monday.
A replacement will be needed for All Black halfback Noah Hotham who is sidelined with ankle injury.
Former skipper David Havili has been named vice-captain.
Seven test utility back Leiceister Fainga’anuku wasn’t considered for the first game as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
In the pack, Kahurangi captain Josh Te Hira gets his first start at hooker with the unavailability of Sam Moli.
He is on Tongan national duty while Eli Oudenryn isn’t due back in the mix until next week after his U20 Rugby World Cup campaign.
“Last week’s warm up game against Southland was a different level to what I was used in club this year but I’m not feeling the pressure about Sunday. We have that during the week and it’s just about having fun and ripping in on game day,” insists Josh who came off the bench against Otago in his only Mako appearance last season.
The forward pack is exactly the same as started against Southland last Friday, a game watched by the All Black selectors
Australian import Lopeti Faifua will start at lock alongside Quinten Strange as Crusaders star Antonio Shalfoon is rehabbing from a calf injury.
The Mako easily accounted for the Steamers in Blenheim last year but lost on the road the previous season.
BOP went on to reach last year’s NPC final and is bullish about its chances this season, making for a tricky opener for the Mako which has been installed warm favourites to win the competition.
The team is: 1 – Ryan Coxon, 2 - Josh Te Hira, 3 – Sam Matenga, 4 – Quentin Strange, 4 – Lopeti Faifua, 6 – Johnny Lee, 7 – Ethan Blackadder, 8 – Fletcher Anderson, 9 – Finlay Christie, 10 – William Havili, 11 – Macca Springer, 12 – David Havili, 13 – Levi Aumua, 14 – Timoci Tavatavanawai, 15 – Kyren Tamoefolau.
The reserves are: 16 – Tomasi Maka, 17 – Monu Moli, 18 – Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19 - Hunter Leppien, 20 – Tayne Hemopo, 21 – Mitch Drummond, 22 – Cooper Grant, 23 – Tone Ng Shiu.
