Bay of Plenty promise more patience

By CHRIS RATTUE

Bay of Plenty have targeted today's match against Southland in Tauranga as they seek to avoid going into another promotion-relegation clash.

Bay of Plenty saw off Hawkes Bay in last year's promotion-relegation playoff but the name of the game for the first division battlers is to avoid having to go through such agonies again.

Coach Vern Cotter said: "We certainly hope that we will be more competitive playing Southland at home than we are in some other games.

"Without saying too much, we certainly targeted this game when the draw came out.

"This clash was always going to be pivotal to our season.

"Certainly the pressure is on and it doesn't help going into the game after a hiding [against Taranaki] and we will want to play for 80 minutes, instead of the 35 we've been doing.

"I put our problems down to mental fragility. Once a couple of decisions or plays go against us, we lose structure and people react as individuals. We've got to be more patient with the ball."

Bay of Plenty have lost halfback Chris Le Lievre with a thumb injury. He will see a specialist next week.

No 8 Clayton McMillan returns to the starters after an elbow injury.

Southland were also disappointing in a heavy defeat at home to Auckland last week although the southerners - who have played all five Super 12 franchise-base teams - rated Auckland as clearly the best side they had faced this year.

Once again, Paul Miller is expected to create much of Southland's momentum and his fellow loose forwards Hale T-Pole and Ben Herring have been among their best performers.

With the winner of today's match being able to breathe easier about their first division prospects, it shapes as a great battle.

Teams:

Bay of Plenty: Grant McQuoid, Sam Hala, Dale Rasmussen, Damian Karauna, Jason Tiatia, Glen Jackson, Rameka Poihipi; Clayton McMillan, Rodney Voullaire, Wayne Ormond, Greg Rawlinson, Mark Weedon (capt), Guy Shepherdson, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison. Res: Robbie Simpkins, Taufa'ao Filise, David Duley, Dave Gorrie; Nathaniel Walker, Tyrone Taiepa/Charles Baxter, Anthony Tahana.

Southland: Pailate Fili, Bryan Milne, Hayden Martine, Seremaia Bai, Roy Hawker, Richard Newman, Jason Harrison; Paul Miller, Ben Herring, Hale T-Pole, Steve Jackson, Daniel Quate, Clarke Dermody, Corey Flynn (capt), Keith Cameron.

Res: David Hall, Brett Roberts, Andrew McClintock, Justin Matheson; Jamie Whelan, Anthony Lafaiali'i, Ashley Barron.

Referee: Kelvin Deaker (Hawkes Bay). Kickoff: 2.35pm