Tasman Makos: About Us

When the New Zealand Rugby Union reviewed its domestic competitions in 2005, they created a new 14 team competition known as the Air New Zealand Cup to replace the NPC.

This restructure created a unique opportunity for the Nelson Bays and Marlborough rugby unions to combine and form one organisation with the aim of securing a position in the new competition.

Hosting top level rugby requires the appropriate venue. Lansdowne Park in Blenheim was completely revamped in early 2006 to meet NZRU standards and things are now underway for Trafalgar Park in Nelson with the upgrade to be completed in time for the 2010 season, enabling both venues to host night games. Both provinces have benefited from hosting Tasman Makos Air NZ Cup matches.

A lot of positive things emerged from our first year at Premier level and, despite narrowly missing out on a top 8 spot, the Makos performance paved the way forward.

2008
In 2008 the organisation faced its toughest challenge, to find the money needed to stay in business and continue on in the Air NZ Cup.

With what were insurmountable debts and continuously stormy local waters the Tasman Rugby Union slowly limped forward and in the midst of all this the Tasman Makos dug deep with their first win against a Super Rugby Franchise team (which was also the teams first ever win away from home) this significant win against Waikato, placing 7th and earning a semi final game ahead of some far larger unions saw them deliver their best season to date.

2009
By the start of 2009 the Tasman Union was pointed in the right direction and the value of having a team competing in the Air NZ was becoming plainly obvious.

The value of local player development was highlighted when 7 Makos players chosen for the Crusaders development squad and earned playing time during the Crusaders 2009 Super 14 campaign.

The 2009 Tasman Makos squad is a further indication of the quality of player development over the past 2 years and of the desire and commitment of local players to make the Makos with 28 of the 29 players chosen being local club rugby players from Nelson and Marlborough.

At the close of the 2009 season the Tasman Makos had truely won the hearts and minds of the people of the top of the south island. Plus with wins against Auckland, Waikato and North Harbour the respect of the rugby community around the country.

The Makos brand was born of a desire to encapsulate a number of inspiring attributes; aspiration, respect, relentlessness, fearlessness, determination, agility and dynamism.

The Tasman Makos have surprised, impressed, delighted and delivered and in doing so have earned high praise in the 2009 Air NZ Cup.