Rugby sevens: Stowers to lead Counties

Counties Manukau's Sherwin Stowers. Photo / Wayne Drought.

Sherwin Stowers will carry the lion's share of Counties Manukau's experience into this weekend's national provincial sevens event in Rotorua.

The All Blacks Sevens flyer has been at the heart of some useful preparation by his union, but Counties Manukau will not be calling on the services of New Zealand captain DJ Forbes, who was ruled unavailable by those higher up.

Counties Manukau will play Bay of Plenty, Canterbury and South Canterbury in their pool on Saturday, but will be favoured, as second seeds after winning last month's northern region qualifier, to reach Sunday's Cup rounds.

The side looks capable of giving the Cup round a shake, and has designs on adding to the union's three provincial titles, won in 1985 and 1994-95.

"It's been a good build-up for us. Everyone has been getting game time and it's been competitive for those last 12 spots," said coach Darryl Suasua. "Sherwin's been great for us. He's been with us from the start in November. He was down at training giving the boys tips even then."

Sam Vaka, the other New Zealand player, was also due to suit up, once he satisfied management that he was over a niggle out of the Bay of Plenty provincial tournament last weekend, in which Counties Manukau were edged by Auckland in the final. Tyrone Lefau, and Jason Guthrie will provide some of the other playmaking and nous, while the skipper is Steelers lock Sikeli Nabou.

"Sikeli leads from the front. It's not often you get a big lock or loosie from 15s playing in the sevens. He's obviously Fijian, and they all play sevens, so he's been a bonus for us,' said Suasua.

There is an unknown quantity about many of the sides, and unlike in past years, it is not just a matter of stacking them with ITM Cup reps. Some are starting to specialise more in sevens.

Several of the Counties Manukau players saw extra game time with their clubs, Ardmore-Marist at the Glenfield Sevens, and Karaka at the Hinuera event.

"Once we get through pool play and can look after our players, our boys should be in good nick. They've done the work fitness-wise and we don't have to thrash (the likes of) Sam Vaka for three pool games just to get through," said Suasua.

Hawke's Bay and Southland are the two ITM Cup provinces who missed the cut in qualifying. The four Heartland unions competing in the men's competition are Horowhenua Kapiti, Wairarapa Bush, Mid Canterbury and South Canterbury.