Tasman Makos: News

Late rally not enough for Makos
25-Jul-2010

Marlborough Express - JOHN ALEXANDER
An improved second-half performance wasn't enough for the Tasman Makos rugby team to avoid a 15-27 loss to Otago in an ITM Cup warm-up match at Carisbrook in Dunedin yesterday.

The Makos were outscored four tries to three, two of the visitors' tries coming in the last 10 minutes in a match where both teams cleared their benches as they work towards next week's opening round of the competition.

Prop Fai Mika scored in the 30th minute for the Makos from an overlap after a switch in play. Midfielder Jack Umaga ran 30m for the second touchdown 10 minutes from fulltime. A nice off-load from flanker Jonathan Poff was the key with good backing up and a burst of speed from Umaga getting the job done.

Two minutes from fulltime, Poff scored a similar try to Mika's where he loomed out wide in good support following a buildup of pressure.

Midfielder Sione Holani was the only real injury concern after the match. The chunky back suffered a knee injury and head coach Kieran Keane was concerned about it.

Keane was not happy with his side's work in the first 40 minutes. "We had a pretty average first half. A little passive. No go-forward. Nothing to play off. It was cold and damp and we were pretty muddled and didn't quite know where to go."

However things improved, he said, "We simplified everything. Got a little go-forward and at times looked quite good but they [Otago] scored quite a few soft tries."

Set pieces were an area of weakness against Canterbury last week and those issues continued against Otago, although the lineouts were better organised and players took more ownership and made sure they won their throws.

The scrum was not so good and on occasions Otago shoved them off the ball.

As far as individual performances go, lock Jarrod Aberhart continued his exceptional form from the Canterbury match.

Poff had an outstanding match and lock and captain Chris Jack came through the first half well, his first on-field action since recent knee surgery.

Tom Marshall added solidity in midfield in the second half and Kade Poki looked sharp on the wing and later at centre, especially from broken play where his jinky running stretched the Otago defence. Poki's defence was again solid.

Fullback Robbie Malneek mixed good with not so good while Keane said the Makos inside backs were a little below par and sometimes muddled in their execution.

Halfback Steve Alfeld also had an off-day with his goal-kicking, missing all three conversions.

Otago manager Des Smith said his team was happy to get the match under their belt and felt it was a useful exercise.

Ad Feedback He thought the Makos came back well in the second half and that the forward battle was a good one.

Former All Blacks Adam Thompson and Ben Smith both played the second half, Thompson at six and eight, Smith at centre.

Summing up, Keane said, "Still lots to do. A bit to work on."

The Makos team to play Wellington in their ITM Cup competition opener in Wellington on Sunday week is expected to be named on Wednesday.

Otago 27 (Eben Joubert, Paul Grant, Josh Tatupu, Chris Small tries, Glenn Dickson 2 con, pen) Tasman Makos 15 (Fai Mika, Jack Umaga, Jonathan Poff tries). Halftime: Otago 17-5.