NPC TEAM PREVIEWS …continued from previous page 19

Tasman

CO-COACHES: GRAY CORNELIUS, DAN PERRIN

CO-CAPTAINS: MITCH HUNT, QUINTEN STRANGE

WEBSITE: tasmanrugby.co.nz

PHONE: 03 548 7030

TICKETS: mako.flicket.co.nz

TAB ODDS: $8.00

FIFTH IN EVENS CONFERENCE 2022: Tasman Mako have enjoyed a wonderful run in the NPC, winning titles in 2019, 2020 and finishing runners-up in 2021. But last year, they surprisingly missed the top-four play-offs, despite playing some sparkling rugby, which has become the Mako style over the years.

KEY PLAYERS: Very few unions have produced more All Blacks in recent times than Tasman. The ability to generate homegrown talent will be tested in 2023 with injuries and All Black selections depleting the squad. But there are still top-quality players like outstanding young Blues loose forward Anton Segner, locks Quinten Strange and Pari Pari Parkinson, first-fives Mitch Hunt and William Havili, and centre Levi Aumua. Flanker Ethan Blackadder could possibly be back from injury.

YOUNG GUNS: Winger Macca Springer and halfback Noah Hotham starred for the New Zealand Under-20s at the recent World Championships. Springer made his Mako debut last season and then played well when given game time with the Crusaders. Hotham also looks destined for higher honours after also stepping up for the Crusaders and showing he belongs at Super Rugby Pacific level.

SEASON PROSPECTS: Tasman Mako again look strong across the park and have good squad depth to cover the inevitable injuries. The Mako kick-off their 2023 campaign with two home games against Otago and Auckland. August 23 is a date to pencil in as the Mako travel to Wellington to challenge for the Ranfurly Shield, which the Tasman union has never won.

Southland

SEVENTH IN ODDS CONFERENCE 2022: Any season with just one win recorded from 10 matches must be regarded as well below par. But the reality was that the Stags were highly competitive in most of their games, with narrow losses to Auckland (one point), Tasman and Otago that could easily have swung the way of the Southlanders.

COACH:

DALE MacLEOD

CAPTAIN:

JOSH BEKHUIS

WEBSITE: rugbysouthland.co.nz

PHONE: 03 216 8694

TICKETS: www.ticketek.co.nz

TAB ODDS: $101.00

KEY PLAYERS: Lock and captain Josh Bekhuis, midfielder Matt Whaanga and utility back Scott Gregory are three prominent players for the Stags. Bekhuis has played 125 games for Southland and looks likely to surpass Tim Boys’ 128 caps during the 2023 season. Two other quality players have been signed from overseas in former Bay of Plenty first-five Dan Hollinshead (France) and former Canterbury and Otago loose forward Dylan Nel (Japan). Popular first-five Marty Banks returns to the team after a long injury lay-off.

YOUNG GUNS: Hooker Jack Taylor was just 19 when he made his NPC debut for the Stags last season. This year, he was in the Highlanders High Performance Programme and the New Zealand Under-20 squad that competed at the World Rugby Championships in South Africa. Winger Michael Manson is probably the quickest player in the NPC with a 100m personal best of 10.8 seconds.

SEASON PROSPECTS: Former Highlanders lock Bekhuis captains the side which will play Hawke’s Bay, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Northland and Auckland at Rugby Park in Invercargill. There is a good mix of youth and experience in the squad so expect better things from the Stags this season.

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