Otai said he had been learning from coaching Heartland players.
“Obviously the skill level is not as high as for internationals, but there are some very skilful players in this competition.
“I’ve learned a lot working with players who are forestry workers or shearers, who can be out working in the backblocks of Manutuke or further afield.
“I’ve been out with some of those guys and it’s been priceless. When they ring you up and say they will be late or can’t make it to training, I understand where they’re coming from.
“In the professional game, if a player said he couldn’t make training or was going to be late, I’d say, ‘Sorry, but you won’t be playing’. There’s a huge difference in coaching at this level.
“It’s also about family and work commitments. At the higher level you’re focused on skill and fitness and you and the players have time to work on those areas.
“Here it’s also about outside factors for each individual player, while still trying to improve skill levels and fitness.”
With four Lochore Cup titles, including a hat-trick of wins — 2006, ’07 and ’08 — the Bay are the most successful province in this competition.
However, the last time the trophy came to Gisborne was in 2011, when the Grainger Heikell/Trevor Crosby-coached side beat South Canterbury 49-22 in Timaru.
The Bay had lost 42-31 to South Canterbury in Round 4 in 2011 but set up the win with four tries in the first 25 minutes of the second half . . . a feature of the Bay’s past two wins this season.
Against King Country, the sides were level at halftime, 19-all, before Otai’s men won the second half 24-10.
Against West Coast in Gisborne two weeks ago, the Bay trailed 15-11 at the break but stormed back to score 24 unanswered points. But the Bay will have to do what they have not done all season — win on the road.
