TASMAN

Peter White previews the seven teams contesting the Bunnings Warehouse NPC Premiership.

Tasman Mako first-five MITCH HUNT. LEICESTER FAINGA’ANUKU was in dazzling form for the Tasman Mako last season.

TASMAN: LAST YEAR’S CHAMPIONS

The Tasman Mako are used to having a lower profile than teams like Auckland and Canterbury. But it is not that way any longer, after they won back-to-back Premiership titles.

Tasman head into the 2021 NPC Premiership with a strong squad and the mindset that anything is possible – including a rare hat trick of titles. Coach Andrew Goodman says it is an exciting challenge, but they are back on the start line with six other teams hungry to get their hands on the cup. The quality of talent produced by Tasman is evident with seven players called-up to the first All Blacks squad and two to the Māori All Blacks. But there are still plenty of X-factor players capable of turning matches in Tasman’s favour. “Even with all those players out, we are really happy with the squad and the players selected for higher honours have done a great job in developing that next tier of players,” says Goodman. Barnstorming midfielder/winger Leicester Fainga’anuku, halfback Finlay Christie and first-five Mitch Hunt are three of Tasman’s best. “Hunty has had an amazing year at the Highlanders, starting week in and week out. He has done an awesome job down there and played some of his best footy, I think. It is great to have him back leading our team around and he does a huge amount for us off the field. He is a massive part of our squad,” says Goodman. “Leicester is one who some will say is a little bit unlucky not to get in the 36-man All Blacks squad. He is as motivated as ever to come back, keep getting better and try to push his way in there (All Blacks) if he can over the next year or two. “Finlay, what a story he is getting an All Black call-up. We are really lucky we landed Finlay a few years ago out of club rugby. He is a livewire on the field and a great Mako man around our environment, a big leader around our defence, and with regular time at Super level with the Blues he has gone from strength to strength.” Last year’s captain David Havili was integral to Tasman winning last year’s tense final at Eden Park. He may not be seen in Mako colours if he retains his All Blacks place but Goodman says his contribution to winning the last two titles cannot be underrated. Hunt and All Blacks lock Quinten Strange are co-captains this season, with Strange back after recovering from injuries. He will form a powerful engine room pairing with the impressive Pari Pari Parkinson. Flanker Sione Havili and prop Atu Moli are two other standout forwards.

COACH: ANDREW GOODMAN CO-CAPTAINS:

MITCH HUNT, QUINTEN STRANGE

HOME GROUNDS:

TRAFALGAR PARK, NELSON; LANSDOWNE PARK, BLENHEIM

WEBSITE: www.mako.nz ADDRESS:

PO BOX 7157, NELSON

PHONE: 03 548 7030 EMAIL: info@tasmanrugby.co.nz TICKETS: mako.flicket.co.nz TAB ODDS: TASMAN $4.00