Mako named to play Auckland at Eden Park

Saturday 17 September, 4.35pm

Eden Park, Auckland

By Peter Jones [Marlborough App]

Several changes, some injury-forced, mark the naming of the Tasman side to take on Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday.

The team will be led by the most-capped Mako, Quentin MacDonald, who replaces Andrew Makalio in the starting XV. Sam Matenga comes in at tighthead for Isaac Salmon, Viliami Napa’a and Fletcher Anderson replacing injured standouts Anton Segner and Braden Stewart in the loose forward mix.

The only backline change sees Fetuli Paea replace Timoci Tavatavanawai on the right wing.

New faces on the bench are loosies Taya Brown and Sitaleki Baker, who will be making their Mako Bunnings NPC debut if called upon.

With the Mako precariously placed on the points table, sitting just outside the play-off positions, each of their final three round robin matches become doubly important.

Auckland have suffered three losses this season and are not shaping as the powerhouse of old, so the Mako will fancy their chances of causing an upset on Eden Park.

The Mako team to take on Auckland in Auckland on Saturday: 1 Kershawl Sykes Martin, 2 Quentin MacDonald (captain), 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 5 Max Hicks, 6 Viliami Napa’a, Fletcher Anderson, 8 Sione Havili; 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Willie Havili, 11 Macca Springer, 12 Alex Nankivell, 13 Levi Aumua, 14 Fetuli Paea, 15 Tomasi Alosio.

Sparkies: Sam Moli, Ryan Coxon, Luca Inch, Taya Brown, Sitaleki Baker, Louie Chapman, Campbell Parata, Timoci Tavatavanawai. Kick off 4.35pm.