Rugby: Tasman plough on despite uncertain future

Tasman are fifth after nine weeks of the Air New Zealand Cup. Photo / Getty Images

For Tasman, the plan this weekend is the same as ever. Keep the head down and hope that someone among rugby's decision-makers notices.

Sitting fifth in the Air NZ Cup and with Auckland now added to their list of scalps, it's hard to imagine what more Tasman can do to prove their worthiness for the top flight.

Yet the merged union is one of those playing with an axe hovering overhead this year, seemingly being primed for demotion when the competition is reduced from 14 to 10 teams for 2010.

Pressure is nothing new for coach Bevan Cadwallader, the assistant last year when Todd Blackadder held the reins of a side whose future was bleak throughout 2008. Financial woes needed propping from the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and they were blighted by in-fighting between Nelson Bays and Marlborough die-hards.

The air is clearing and Cadwallader uses the term "dynasty" when assessing what is being achieved at junior and senior level.

"We feel that we belong in the Air NZ Cup and we're just trying to stay there," he said.

"The board of NZRU, or (chief executive) Steve Tew or whoever is in control of this thing, I don't know what their thoughts are.

"We were dead and buried last year. We've stayed positive and kept working and hopefully our results will be sufficient for them."

Last week's 12-8 humbling of Auckland was actually one of the less impressive Tasman outings this year, Cadwallader admitting they caught New Zealand's struggling giants at a good time.

The best efforts were probably narrow losses to Canterbury and Hawke's Bay along with a decent thumping of Waikato three weeks ago that emphasised the forward power that has caught all their opponents on the hop this year.

Leading the way is a front row comprising three home-grown lads who have yet to be bettered.

Marlborough-raised tighthead Tristan Moran and Nelson Bays loosehead Zac Talafo are the surprise-package props of the competition with their destructive set piece work while Blenheim-born-and-bred hooker Quentin MacDonald has turned heads all year.

"We lost (All Black) Ben Franks earlier in the season and everyone thought we might capitulate there but our scrum's continued to improve week by week," Cadwallader said.

"The pleasing thing is we've got some guys who have been there since the start of the Makos.

"Now we're just a well-rounded team and a good bunch of guys that enjoy each other's company and work hard for each other."

Tasman's efforts are all the more remarkable for having lost key first five-eighth James Marshall early in the first game.

Captain Andrew Goodman has moved in a spot to fill the playmaking duties, although Crusaders halfback Kahn Fotuali'i handled the job well against Auckland.

Cadwallader wasn't saying who would get the job in the round 10 fixture against Northland on Sunday.

He was more effusive about the threat posed in Whangarei by a side whose future is just as shaky, particularly as they reside in 13th place.

The only side below them are Counties-Manukau, who will require a near-mircale to overcome leaders Canterbury in Pukekohe on Friday in one of the few apparent mismatches this weekend.

The other is possibly at Wellington, where the hosts could be starting to hit their straps despite a lock injury crisis and should be too good on Saturday for a Manawatu side on a five-match losing trot.

Second-placed Southland will want to heap more misery on Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday and end a winless record that dates back to 1971.

Taranaki and Otago have seemingly been lumped mid-table all season and square off in New Plymouth on Saturday in a match that may well end the semifinal hopes of the losers.

A key playoff clash sees fourth-placed Bay of Plenty host a Hawke's Bay side who have won four on the trot. Missing suspended flanker Luke Braid, the hosts will need to be sharp at the breakdown to keep their east coast rivals in check.

North Harbour have also lost a player to suspension but will hope the absence of second five-eighth Andrew Mailei won't hold them back in Albany tonight, where they play a Waikato side boosted by the presence of some returning All Blacks.

- NZPA