Article 4:Makos win big

Makos turn on the glitz

WAYNE MARTIN

Last updated 13:00 14/10/2013

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The Tasman Makos will head into next Saturday's championship semifinal with a full head of steam after yesterday's comprehensive 57-14 ITM Cup rugby win over Manawatu in Blenheim.
Manawatu went into yesterday's Lansdowne Park clash still with a chance of making the playoffs. That meant beating Tasman, but after some early hi-jinks, which produced the visitors two stunning tries and a surprise 14-10 lead, Tasman's positive attacking approach simply ran Manawatu off their feet.
The records continued to flow for Tasman as first five-eighth Marty Banks produced another stellar performance. His 27-point haul, including two tries, has now set a new individual season record of 130 points, beating the previous mark of 116 set by former skipper Andrew Goodman in 2011.
It was also Tasman's highest score against Manawatu and a satisfying lead-in to their semifinal clash with Southland, in Blenheim, next Saturday afternoon.
Tasman's hell-for-leather approach forced early handling errors and turnovers as both sides were quick to capitalise on the others' mistakes.
It was frenetic and often messy as the two teams countered each other try for try. Manawatu first five-eighth Jade Te Rure and Tasman halfback Billy Guyton both scored inside the opening 13 minutes as Manawatu fullback Lewis Marshall and finally Tasman wing Mitchell Scott completed the first half tryscoring.
But ahead just 17-14 at the break, Tasman then poured on 40 unanswered second half points, including another six tries, as they unleashed all their attacking potency. They showed more fluency, certainly better execution and some excellent support play as they continued to run the ball at an increasingly bewildered Manawatu defence.
Loosehead prop Tim Perry inspired two of the biggest roars from the Blenheim crowd when he crossed twice in quick succession, with hooker Francis Smith, substitute midfielder Andy Symons and the irrepressible Banks (twice), completing Tasman's second half try tally.
While obviously happy with his team's performance, Tasman head coach Kieran Keane had spoken to the players at halftime about protecting the ball and not forcing their passes.
"They didn't have enough respect for the ball," said Keane.
"They were a bit frenetic and trying to force it and it didn't need to be forced. So once we addressed that, away we went and we had good shape over the field. If they fell off a tackle, then we were able to exploit it with a try.
"Some of the support play was really good [and] some of the communication and play that ensued with lightning quick ball basically meant we could play our game." 

The only sour note from the win was captain and flanker Shane Christie failing a concussion test in the second half, with lock Joe Wheeler eventually assuming the captaincy.
Still, loose forwards Gary Redmond and Tevita Koloamatangi were at their lively best while Vernon Fredericks added plenty of punch off the bench. Perry added his memorable two-try contribution to a typically solid effort, with Wheeler also a strong performer as stand-in skipper. Banks was an obvious focal point among the backs with his fine allround game, while Scott and form centre Kieron Fonotia were again penetrative and constant threats to Manawatu's defence.
"We got tested a lot in that first half but it just sort of broke up and we were fortunate enough that the bounce of the ball went our way," said Wheeler. "It was a good result and we've got a bit of momentum going into the semis now."
Wheeler said that sustaining their winning habit was among the more pleasing aspects of yesterday's result.
"Makos [teams] of the past have sort of been happy with the performance from the week before and got a little bit complacent and dropped off the next week. We're setting our standards pretty high and we're living up to them which is nice." Manawatu brought their own positive mindset to the contest, which Keane had anticipated.
"They're an entertaining side and they remind me a little bit of ourselves a couple of seasons ago, so yeah, I was expecting it to be an open and lively affair."
Tasman's thoughts now turn to Southland as the Makos attempt to secure a place in this season's championship final. Keane said the plan was to head to Blenheim "a couple of days early" in order to get themselves established ahead of their Saturday afternoon showdown.
"We're going to start afresh. We're going to wipe the slate clean," said Keane. "We know how we want to play against Southland and we know what we have to do to achieve it, so we're going to put a bit of polish on that aspect and prepare like there's no tomorrow. There is no tomorrow in semifinals, so we'll cross all the t's and dot all the i's and hope for the best."