Bay of Plenty call themselves rank underdogs

By CHRIS RATTUE



Bay of Plenty are painting themselves as rank underdogs for the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland on Sunday.

Auckland - beaten by Wellington in their final warm-up game - should face a stern and spirited test, but that's not a scenario Steamers coach Vern Cotter wants portrayed.

Bay of Plenty beat Auckland at Mt Maunganui last season, by 32-25, and the Bay's famous and ultimately heartbreaking 1996 challenge against a weakened Auckland side has loomed in some thinking.

But Bay of Plenty have never held the shield and - if Cotter is to be believed - are unlikely to shake the hoodoo this year.

They had a reasonable dress rehearsal on Saturday, beating North Harbour in rain and slush at Albany 19-15.

But Super 12 players Simms Davison (prop) and Grant McQuoid (inside back) could be missing again with injuries although toughnut loose forward Paul Tupai came through a 30-minute appearance for the B team unscathed.

Tupai, who has a chest injury, will play his 100th game for Bay of Plenty if he makes the shield challenge.

Veteran back Damon Kaui is also in doubt, and wing Anthony Tahana is unlikely to play. He was stretchered off in a neck brace during the Harbour match, although the damage was not rated as a long-term problem.

Bay of Plenty opened last season by upsetting North Harbour at Mt Maunganui, and finished a creditable fifth.

Cotter said last season's success would work against them. "We feel it could be our most difficult season because the teams which took us lightly last year won't be doing the same this time.

"We're the rank underdogs for the shield. I just can't see it any other way. We're just being realistic.

"I can't see us competing effectively on an individual level. If we had a team half full of All Blacks and Super 12 players, then you might say fair game.

"We caught Auckland unaware last year and we won't be afforded that luxury this year."

North Harbour coach Allan Pollock saw the challenge slightly differently, saying a team with the experience and skill of Glen Jackson, Rua Tipoki and Adrian Cashmore in the backline would be in the hunt.

"They've got a starter's chance."

North Harbour open their campaign against Taranaki in New Plymouth on Saturday evening. Only South African lock Greg Rawlinson will be absent through injury. He played through the Super 12 with a foot injury which has since been operated on, and made his comeback for the B team on Saturday.

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