Rugby League: Bay of Plenty Lakers seek back-to-back wins

POWER: Bay of Plenty Lakers back rower Jeremy Siulepa storms upfield against Northland last week. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Having started the competition with a win, the Bay of Plenty Lakers are looking to make it two from two when they play Coastline in Tauranga today.The major positive the Lakers took from a narrow 30-26 victory over Northland last week, in the first round of the NZRL Regional Qualifiers Northern Pool, was their ability to hang on when under the pump and keep themselves in the game.

Coach Paniora Daniels said he wanted to see an improved defensive effort from his side this week.

"Our ability to get off the line and tighten up our systems - we've worked a lot on our processes, our systems and our execution, in defence and overall.

"Some of the players are getting used to the pace of the game, it's definitely a step up," Daniels said.

Coastline have scrambled to get a squad together, after defaulting last weekend, and while Daniels did not expect it to be their top 17 he was taking nothing for granted.

"We're not taking them lightly, we're taking over a strong team.

"It's good [that they have put a team together] for us because we need as much game time as possible to work on our own combinations."

He was pleased with the way the Bay side stuck to the game plan last weekend.

"That's the biggest thing and they knew that. Once we got in good field position we always looked dangerous and looked like scoring.

"The main thing is that we push up in support, we had a lot of players breaking the line but the others stood ball watching. They need to be active on and off the ball this week, ready for the offload."

The Lakers will rotate their squad for this game and have the kind of depth they have been looking for during the last few years.

"That's huge, now we have cover across the park and the competition for spots makes everyone play harder, they know they have to earn the jersey.

"We've got about 20 in the squad and they're all at the trainings, in the system and the team culture, which is great" he said.

Bay of Plenty Lakers squad to play Coastline
Mitchell Park, Tauranga. Kick-off at 2pm
1. Kihiroa Wihapi
2. Tyrone Henderson
3. Dylan Shortland
4. Noel Te Rangi
5. Quentin Ryan
6. Johnson Peri (C)
7. Kale Pomare
8. Fetaiamauso Tauiliili-Pelesasa
9. Darcy Hunt
10. Aussie Tuwhangai
11. Lorne Green
12. Jeremy Siulepa
13. Jason Whareaitu
14. Opeta Utanga
15. Matt Filipo
16. Dennis Newton
17. Destry Tamai
18. Haukainga Tiatoa
19. Steve Namana
20. Yannis Mea
21. Israel Vano-Storer