Bay need Oracle-style burst

LEADING MAN: Willie Ripia, celebrating after scoring a try against Hawke's Bay, will captain the Steamers against Counties Manukau tomorrow.PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER 250813AW16BOP

Steamers must lift, says Axtens

Oracle's America's Cup comeback has shown nothing is impossible in sport, no matter how dour the situation.

But even James Spithill would struggle to talk up the Bay of Plenty Steamers' chances of climbing off the bottom of the ITM Premiership table in their last three games.

Certainly there is a mathematical chance but the Steamers would have to beat Counties Manukau in Rotorua tomorrow, then Waikato at Baypark on October 5 and finally Northland in Whangarei a week later to have a sniff.

But this is unlikely. The attack/defence imbalance that has seen the side concede 27 tries and score just nine cannot be fixed overnight. What they can do is restore their credibility and make the most of the games left.

The biggest loss for the Steamers from the team who lost to Taranaki last start is warrior leader Tanerau Latimer. The openside flanker failed a fitness test on his shoulder, to be replaced by Beau Robinson.

But they welcome back No8 Carl Axtens for tomorrow's clash with Counties Manukau, who are Ranfurly Shield holders and the competition's most dazzling attacking unit.

Axtens, Reporoa born-and-bred, has blue and gold flowing through his veins. He is the son of Steve Axtens, who played 55 games for the Bay.

In his third season at ITM Cup level, Axtens admits he has found it tough being part of a poorly performed Steamers team who have won just one of seven games.

"Being a Bay boy growing up, this is my team, this is who I want to win, and why the Bay jersey means so much to me," said Axtens.

"I don't know what it is like for other boys coming into the union because I have never had to do that. I don't know what they feel but it hasn't quite clicked yet. I'm not sure if that is through boys from outside coming in or what, because there are still a few local boys in the squad."

Counties Manukau bring threats across the park and Axtens says the Steamers must be more intense on defence.

"They have the flair to break a game from anywhere. That is a hard thing to defend, as you think you have closed them down and they have that inside ball and they're gone. Our defence has to step up big time this week or we will just get split. They are on a roll all right."

Axtens says the players are just as frustrated as everyone else and have been trying to find solutions.

"The boys are always upbeat and happy enough within our group, so it is not doomsday yet, but we have to make these last three games count.

"They can't change what is going to happen but if we have these same boys next year, with a bit more experience under their belts, and they know what ITM Cup is all about, then maybe different things will happen - but it is hard to say, really."

A highlight this year for Axtens has been seeing his best mate Sam Cane become an established All Black. The two go way back to their first year at primary school in Reporoa and they have been inseparable since.

Axtens was rated higher than Cane at school, making the NZ Schools team in 2008 and 2009, and has fond memories of their childhood.

"His first day at Broadlands Primary School he was 5 years old and I was a little bit older, so I looked after him that day," Axtens said. "We went right through to secondary school together. I am really proud of what he has achieved so far and he keeps stepping up, which is awesome. But he hasn't changed one bit, which is good."