Tasman names young squad for USA tour

The Tasman Mako have named a 27-strong traveling squad for their upcoming two-match tour to the USA. As expected the Mitre 10 Cup champions will send a development squad featuring limited senior provincial experience but a number of promising youngsters.

Mitre 10 regulars Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta and Jacob Norris bolster the loose forwards while New Zealand u20 winger Jamie Spowart has scored an impressive 5 tries in only 6 games as a professional. Waikato lock Antonio Shalfoon makes the switch to Tasman after appearing in a half-dozen games for the Mooloo men this past season.

Front row pair Kershawl Sykes-Martin and Matt Graham-Williams only narrowly missed out on national u20 selection, as did hard-running No8 Isaiah Miller. Scrumhalf Louie Chapman has played for New Zealand Schools, while flyhalf Campbell Parata was one of the highest-rated age-grade players in Australia when he moved to Tasman in 2018.

Coaching the team are senior Tasman assistants Shane Christie and Gray Cornelius. The young Mako will begin their tour in Houston with a game against the SaberCats on Saturday, January 18. A match against the defending MLR champion Seattle Seawolves will follow on Sunday, January 26.

FORWARDS
Quinn Harrison-Jones, Connor Higgins, Sam Lane, Sam Matenga, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Max Fraine, Matt Graham-Williams, Max Hicks, Tim Sail, Antonio Shalfoon, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Isaiah Miller, Jacob Norris, Braden Stewart, Hopoate Taufa

BACKS
Mitchell Barry, Louie Chapman, Campbell Parata, Taine Robinson, Sam Briggs, Caleb Coventry, Nick Foxley, Rahiri Witehira, Jan Lammers, Saul Lewis, Jamie Spowart, Michael Stringer