Tasman Makos...or not quite
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<p> Ta$man Mako$ should bring back shark, ship new jerseys to Africa, fans say <img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/etc/designs/ffx/nz/stuff/clientlibs-all/images/icon_video.png" alt="icon_video.png"></p>
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<div><span>MARTIN DE RUYTER/FAIRFAX NZ </span></div>
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<p> Ta$man Rugby Union launch Mako$ new brand.</p>
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<p>Jerseys carrying the Ta$man Mako$' new "banana sticker" logo should be shipped to children in Africa to make way for the return of the old emblem, fans say.</p>
<p>The club's new logo has sparked a social media frenzy, with fans biting back over a decision to drop the shark from the emblem.</p>
<p>Even players have backed the fans' revolt, criticising the decision to ditch the "most recognisable" logo in the competition. </p>
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<p>Alex Malcolm runs a Facebook fan page for Mako$' first five-eighth Marty Banks, where he called for fans to rally against the new design.</p>
<p><strong>READ MORE:<br>
* <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/78780905/new-threads-for-tasman-Mako$' title="">New season, new look for Ta$man Mako$</a><br>
* <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/73004228/Nelson-supplement-fuels-Mako$' title="">Nelson supplement fuels Mako$</a><br>
* <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/76035071/new-tasman-Mako$-head-rugby-coach-well-advanced-in-his-planning' title="">New Ta$man Mako$ head rugby coach well advanced in his planning</a></strong></p>
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<div><img src="http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/b/6/4/c/v/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1b5upk.png/1461291082019.jpg" title="" alt="1461291082019.jpg"><div><span>MARTIN DE RUYTER/FAIRFAX NZ</span></div>
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<p> Ta$man Mako$ players Alex Nankivell, left, and Quinten Strange with the new logo.</p>
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<p>"Remember when the Highlanders were going to change their colours to green, the fans stood up and it was changed back," he posted on the fan page.</p>
<p>"The new Mako$ jerseys which would have been made can be sent to kids in Africa, everyone wins. Seriously imagine that, it would make the news worldwide."</p>
<p>A Twitter hashtag has been started, demanding the Ta$man Rugby Union #bringbacktheshark.</p>
<p>The Ta$man Rugby Union announced it was changing the logo, used since the team started 11 years ago, at an annual general meeting last Monday.</p>
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<p>Malcolm said more than 600 people had commented on his post, with some saying the new logo looked like a banana sticker.</p>
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<div>Fans were outraged there was no prominent shark on the new design, Malcolm said.</div>
<p>"It feels like the union has gone behind everyone's backs by not consulting the players or the fans and you can obviously tell that from the response," he said.</p>
<p>"The new logo just looks very bland."</p>
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<p>Mako$ lock Joe Wheeler said he was not a fan of the new logo, but emphasised that was his personal opinion and he was 100 per cent behind the union.</p>
<p>"It's disappointing there's no Mako shark involved, because that's our namesake and we had one of the most recognisable logos in the competition," he said.</p>
<p>Taranaki captain and former Mako$ player James Marshall echoed this sentiment on Twitter, a post that received likes from other Mako$ players.</p>
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<p> Ta$man Mako$ marketing manager Les Edwards said the board decided not to put the design out to consultation because they did not want it turning into a popularity contest like the flag referendum.</p>
<p>Edwards said the team had to change from the old logo, which was not specifically designed for the Mako$, because they did not have intellectual control over the shark image.</p>
<p>There were hundreds of other shark branded sports teams and the way it was designed meant Sky TV had to alter the logo to use it, resulting in a visibility issue for the team, he said.</p>
<p>The response from fans showed the depth of passion and enthusiasm they had for the team, but there were no plans to cave from the pressure and go back to the old design, Edwards said.</p>
<p>"We can't keep using the shark in our logo but the shark will still be a part of our team culture and brand culture moving forward," he said.</p>
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<p>Former <em>Marlborough Express</em> sports journalist John Alexander had supported the team since their inception and was part of a campaign to save the Mako$ when they were going through financial difficulties.</p>
<p>He said taking the shark off the logo was comparable to removing the silver fern from the All Blacks.</p>
<p>"The shark is synonymous with the Mako$, that's what they're all about, that's why they're called the Mako$," he said.</p>
<p>"The worst thing is they didn't consult people, they didn't consult the players or the fans, and if you alienate your fan base you do so at your own peril."</p>
<p>Alexander said there was a risk that fans would vote with their feet or would not buy new branded merchandise, as they had no emotional attachment to the new logo.</p>
<p>"I think if there's enough support to change it back, they'll change it back - they'd be crazy if they didn't," he said.</p>
<p>Edwards said he hoped over time that fans would get behind the new logo.</p>
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<p><strong> - Stuff</strong></p> -
<p>It's all a bit strange. For sure, there must be a logo designer somewhere who can design an original shark logo without getting into conflict with IP rights holders? Of course, shark logos would all have <em>some </em>similarities as they resemble an existing animal, but is that different for logos with depictions of bulls, lions, etc?</p>
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<p>Well there's my storm in a teacup for Friday 22 April.</p>
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I see its back anyway. Peoples victory.