League: Mt Albert picking skill over muscle

The Counties-Manukau Jetz will have a size advantage in the Bartercard Cup preliminary final, and Mt Albert will have to play smart rather than physical to win it.

The Lions have not dwelt on their loss to Canterbury last weekend, preferring to take positives from their season because there were few they could take from that defeat.

"The Bulls completely outplayed us and should have won by more," Lions coach Brian McClennan said of the result that sent Canterbury straight to the grand final.
"Our ability to score tries out of nowhere saved us. We did that twice in the first half and it saved us. The Bulls were far better than us - I'd love to play them again in the grand final."

The Jetz took a bashing from North Harbour in their semifinal, said coach Dean Hunter, and several players were unable to take part in training early in the week - including last weekend's two-try Warriors development player Sonny Fa'i. Roman Hifo remains suspended.

Hunter said he was pleased with the character shown by his side against the Tigers.

"There were times we could have put our heads down and said 'that's it for this year', but we never did. The Tigers had back-to-back sets on our line and we disciplined ourselves. I was pleased with the outcome of the game, obviously, but I was more pleased with our composure and character."

There was great respect for the Lions, Hunter said.

"They are the best team on the park. They have class and experience right across the park. Their younger guys are all in the semi-pro development ranks. We're not going in with any illusions."

By the same token, the Jetz gave themselves every chance of winning.

"No one will give an inch. It's a simple game and if we can hang on to 80 per cent of our ball, if we can complete our sets, we put ourselves in with a chance. If we give them the ball, they'll walk all over us. But I think it will come down to some special plays by some special players."

That being the case, the Lions will be favourites. One special player who had little impact last weekend was their captain and five-eighth, Steve Buckingham. Mt Albert did not complete their sets and thus Buckingham did not get into the game, his useful field-kicking talent not coming into the equation.

"The rest of the team has to get us in position for Buck to get in to the game, and we didn't create a good platform," McClennan said.

They'd spent a lot of time licking their wounds but did not want to go into the next game thinking like that.

"There's a lot to draw on from our season. We're very fit; we're a skilful side. Against Counties and Canterbury we're going to get out-muscled, so we have to concentrate on playing our game."

So expect the Lions to try to use the kick more to turn the bigger pack around, to kick early in the count and to run early when the chance arises as the defence drops back in anticipation of the kicks.

Meanwhile, the NZRL's review of the competition structure continues, with face-to-face meetings with applicants for 2006 franchises starting next week.