Steamers face pivotal decision

JAMIE TROUGHTON
It's a job description that seems better suited to a bloke dressed in blue with his undies on the outside of his trousers and a flapping red cape.
Bay of Plenty's next first-five could well have an `S' stencilled on the back of his jersey rather than the more traditional No10.
For the player charged with directing play against the Lions in 38 days time, the list of requirements is long.
He must be able to goal-kick, pass off either hand, punt his team out of trouble and grab a game by the scruff of the neck. A cool head and hot feet are a must.
While the many fine deeds of Glen Jackson at first-five for Bay of Plenty are fast becoming the stuff of legend in provincial rugby, the drawback is the void he left when he signed with English club Saracens in October.
Jackson left his options open when he departed and broadly hinted he might be back to take on the Lions if he couldn't negotiate an extension to his one-year contract. That now appears highly unlikely, and Steamers back coach Andre Bell is now looking firmly to the future.
"We haven't heard anything so we've pretty much given up on getting him back," Bell said.
The upside is growing depth in the position in the province.
At 22, new Steamers signing Murray Williams appears to have the inside running. He is a sharp, robust player not afraid to explore gaps in opposition backlines, and has a quality pass to open up areas outside him.
Jackson's backup last season, Tauranga Sports pivot Robert Moon, has a prodigious left punt and a sharp tactical brain, although the 29-year-old currently has a strained ankle and won't be back in action for two more weeks.
Two other bolters have emerged in the first six weeks of club rugby, however.
Mike Delany's remarkable scoring spree with Mount Maunganui - racking up 100 points in the first five matches - has seen him leap into contention, while Te Puke's Andy Miller has been there, done that on the biggest stages of all.
Miller already had 69 games and a remarkable 718 points for Bay of Plenty when he left for a five-year stint in Japan in 1998. He played for Japan at the 2003 World Cup and had an aborted stint with Southland in the NPC last year.
But compelling club form for Te Puke this season has convinced Bell that the 32-year-old is still a viable option - though Miller himself isn't convinced. "Last year was pretty much it for me - it was a good chance to have a crack while I was still pretty motivated but Southland didn't really work out," Miller said.
"Maybe if two or three guys get sick and the Steamers get really desperate, I'd take the phone call but I'm not doing any speed training or waiting around for it!"
Bell wants his next pivot to be a genuine all-rounder, able to win games with head or boot.
"Goal-kicking is going to be really important for Bay of Plenty this year so I've asked Murray and Moony to kick at club level," Bell said.
"We're also looking for someone who can command a game. They've all got certain strengths to their game and Andy in particular has big-match experience. I still think he's got a lot to offer to the game and both Murray and Robert would probably welcome any advice."
Delany, meanwhile, has already played under Bell at Rotorua Boys' High. The 22-year-old was snapped up by the Waikato rugby academy and is still living in Hamilton completing studies, though commuting for Mount games.
"I played under-19s and Colts for Waikato but they've got quite a bit of depth over there, with guys like Willie Repia and Steven Donald.
"I wasn't sure what other guys were over here but I thought I'd give it a crack somewhere else for a change of scene."
Delany hasn't done a lot of kicking since playing with the likes of Liam Messam and Ruki Tipuna at Rotorua Boys' but credits a new focus for his unerring accuracy at the Mount this season.
Delany still hasn't been tested with the Mount pack rapidly back-pedalling, instead feasting on a glut of front-foot ball. But his presence is at least creating a veritable banquet of first-five talent in the Bay _ a welcome offering with a pride of hungry Lions on their way.