Tasman Rugby Union

Tasman Makos

File:Logo Tasman Makos.svg
Full name	Tasman Rugby Union
Union	NZRU
Nickname(s)	Makos
Founded	2006
Ground(s)	Lansdowne Park & Trafalgar Park
CEO	Peter Barr
Coach(es)	Todd Blackadder
1st kit 2nd kit

The Tasman Rugby Union is New Zealand's newest provincial union. It came about with the amalgamation of the existing Marlborough and Nelson Bays. Nelson Bays, in turn, came about with the amalgamation of Nelson and Golden Bay-Motueka Rugby Unions in 1967.

Representative Rugby

The team is known as the Tasman Makos. Home Grounds are Lansdowne Park, Blenheim and Trafalgar Park, Nelson.

The Southland Building Society (SBS) is the union's principal sponsor. Apparel is supplied by Reebok. Golden Edge, Shooters, ITM Speight's and Firepower are the other brand sponsors.

Tasman in Super Rugby

Players from Tasman are also available for selection to the Super 14 franchise Crusaders.

On 7 June 2006, Tasman Rugby Union announced that All Black Template:Lock, Chris Jack had signed a two year contract with Tasman which starts in 2006. Since then Tasman signed four more present and former All Blacks - Caleb Ralph, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn and Ben Franks.

As well as this many Makos players have earned spots in various Super 14 Squads through their performance in the Air New Zealand Cup. Tasman can currently boast 10 Makos players involved in Super Rugby Squads including the Crusaders, Chiefs and Cheetahs.

Ranfurly Shield

Tasman has not held the Ranfurly Shield but Marlborough held the shield for 6 challenges in 1973.

History

When the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) reviewed the domestic competitions, a new 14 team premier division of competition was created, as the Air New Zealand Cup, taking the place of the National Provincial Championship (NPC).

The restructured domestic competition opened the door for the Nelson Bays and Marlborough Rugby Unions to form a relationship, forming one organisation in an attempt to be awarded a position in the new competition. The Makos brand was created.

A Tasman XV played Canada 'A' on April 26 in 2006 at Trafalgar Park. The Tasman side won by 40 points, the final score being 48 points to eight. The Makos were grouped in Pool A of the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup.

In their first ever match in the Air New Zealand Cup, the Makos earned a bonus point in a loss to the North Harbour team, losing 33 points to 27. They were defeated by Auckland the following week by 40 points. However, the Makos won their first match, defeating Manawatu in round three.

Tasman's 2006 Season

Tasman v North Harbour at Blenheim Lost 33-27, Tasman v Auckland at Auckland Lost 46-6, Tasman v Manawatu at Blenheim Won 43-0, Tasman v Taranaki at New Plymouth Lost 22-15, Tasman v Bay of Plenty at Blenheim Lost 23-17, Tasman v Wellington at Wellington Lost 39-25, Tasman v Southland at Invercargill Lost 23-14, Tasman v Northland at Blenheim Won 56-15, Tasman v Taranaki at New Plymouth Lost 42-17

Air New Zealand Cup placings

Air New Zealand Cup Results
Year	Played	Win	Draw	Loss	PF	PA	Diff	BP	Points	Place
2006	6	1	0	5	133	163	-30	4	8	6th (Pool A)
	3	1	0	2	87	80	+7	1	5	4th (Repechage B)

Current Squad

Tasman Makos Squad for 2008

Backs

Player	Position
Blair Cook	Template:Wing
Kahn Fotuali'i	Template:Half-back
Andrew Goodman
Joel Iggo	Template:First five-eighth
Robie Malneek	Template:Fullback
James Marshall	Template:First five-eighth
Miah Nikora	Template:First five-eighth
Mike Pehi
Afeleke Pelenise	Template:Wing
Kade Poki
Lualua Vailoaloa	Template:Half-back

Forwards

Player	Position
Alex Ainley	Template:Flanker
Mark Bright	Template:Flanker
Will Crutchley	Template:Lock
Ben Franks	(P)
Glen Gregory	Template:Flanker
Daniel Hyatt	Template:Flanker
Jack Lam	Template:Flanker
Karl Leary	Template:Flanker
Ben May	(P)
Quentin McDonald	Template:Hooker
Tristan Moran	(P)
Dan Perrin	Template:Hooker
Jonathan Poff	Template:Flanker
Joe Wheeler	Template:Lock

Sub Unions

• Nelson Bays
• Marlborough

Notable signings

• Chris Jack
• Ali Williams - 2008 Crusaders Squad
• Brad Thorn - 2008 Crusaders Squad
• Caleb Ralph - 2008 Crusaders Squad
• Kahn Fotualii - 2008 Crusaders Squad
• Kade Poki - 2008 Crusaders Squad
• Ben May - 2008 Chiefs Squad

External links

• Official union site
• Virtual Rugby at Jimungo
• Official supporters site