Blackadder trims the Makos
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:44
Tasman Makos coach Todd Blackadder has refined his squad for their second Air New Zealand Cup pre-season match, against Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe on Sunday.
After taking virtually the entire squad south for last Friday's 31-19 win over Canterbury at Glenmark, it will be a much smaller squad heading north as the coaching staff continues tinkering ahead of the Air NZ Cup opener against Bay of Plenty in Blenheim on July 31.
Tasman will again play as the Buccaneers, although, according to Blackadder, there is still a set focus on what they're trying to achieve before next Saturday's final pre-season hit-out against Auckland at Trafalgar Park.
"It's an away game and the short history of the Tasman Makos is that we haven't been able to win away, so it's really about our mental application and also to build on what we did last Friday," Blackadder told The Nelson Mail.
"The good news is that this is Counties' first game this season ... so it'll be a big game for them and it'll be a great hit-out for us."
Although well-satisfied with the team's performance in Glenmark, Blackadder said that was merely a starting point. Plenty of hard work had gone in during the week to prepare for what is expected to be a typically physical Counties challenge.
"We've really just been working on targeting our contact and working on our defence. Really it's just to build on what we achieved last week and see where we're at."
Teams:
Buccaneers: 15 Robbie Malneek, 14 Blair Cook, 13 Mike Pehi, 12 Andrew Goodman, 11 Afeleki Pelenise, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Lualua Vailoaloa, 8 Mark Bright, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Joe Wheeler, 5 Alex Ainley, 4 Jonathan Poff, 3 Tristan Moran, 2 Dan Perrin, 1 Zac Taulafo.
Replacements - from: Manu Leitaua/Rowan O'Gorman/Quentin MacDonald, Ben Franks, Will Crutchley, Glen Gregory, Kahn Fotuali'i, James Marshall, Steve Sasagi, Shane Christie,
Steve Jackson.
Counties-Manukau squad: Cody Martin, Piula Fa'aselele, Gary Saifoloi, Dean Cummins, Sherwin Stowers, Rob Katu, Eugene Beneke, Tuaefe Palelei, Robert Roberston, DJ Forbes, Chad Tuoro, Romi Ropati, Lance Poching, Fritz Lee, Samisoni Fisilau, Tanner Vili, Tim Nanai Williams, Seremaia Tagicakibau, Lelia Masaga, Alepini Olosoni, Andrew Van der Heijden, Viliami Fihaki, Hani Halaelia, Siale Piutau, Jamie Chipman, Niva Ta'auso, Daniel Crichton, David Raikuna, Kevin Farrell, Dave Duley, Uaoalii Faioso, Jayden Murch.
Date: Sunday, July 20
Venue: Growers Stadium
Kick-off: 14.35 (02.35 GMT)
