Smith continues hot form

Cook Islands hooker Francis Smith has continued to make an impact for the Tasman Makos ahead of the ITM Cup when he bagged two tries against Heartland Championship side West Coast.

Played in two 30-minute periods in sunny conditions, the 102-0 walloping served as nothing more than a training run for the Makos, who were playing a side battling for respect in the amateur-dominated provincial competition.

It is the second match in three pre-season games where 22-year-old Smith has scored a brace, with his double over defending champions Canterbury giving him four tries in three matches for the Tasman outfit.

Hardly seen as the perfect build-up to their first match of the ITM Cup season when they play defending champions Canterbury again in their season-opener, their match against West Coast was more about establishing set piece and game structures more than scoring points.

Regardless, it was a field day for the Makos, who scored 15 tries in total while shutting out their unfancied opponents.

Smith was relegated to the bench in favour of Quentin McDonald but his impact was immense as he secured his third and fourth tries of the pre-season in what will give coach Leon McDonald plenty of food for thought.

New Zealand sevens representative Bryce Heem scored a hat-trick on return from injury while Waratahs winger Peter Betham and fellow winger James Lowe also dotted down twice.

Tasman, who play in the Championship division of the ITM Cup, will be looking to make the best possible start to their campaign when they tackle Premiership favourites and defending titleholders Canterbury in a crossover match at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park at 10pm on Thursday night (Cook Islands time).

West Coast, meanwhile, will start their Heartland Championship campaign against East Coast in Ruatoria at 4.30pm on Friday (Cook Islands time).