It's back to basics for Thames Valley

Thames Valley will adopt a back-to-the-basics approach when they square off against Counties Manukau in a second-division match at Paeroa this afternoon.

The Swamp Foxes have made a less-than-ideal start to their championship campaign, having been pipped 19-15 by East Coast in the season opener before unravelling 59-10 last weekend against Hawkes Bay.

The pressure is unlikely to ease this afternoon when they come up against one of the competition heavyweights, although coach John Fleming is urging his players to concentrate on the small tasks rather than worrying about the big picture.

"It's been a bit of a horror start to the season and things are going to be difficult again with Counties, but we can only concentrate on the job at hand and give it our best shot," he said yesterday.

"The message this week has been about getting back to basics, securing possession and working on the primary phases, because that's the starting point for an improved performance."

Fleming has opted to tweak the front row and has welcomed back his main lineout exponent, Clinton Watene.

"In terms of possession, we did all right in the game against East Coast but we got cleaned out against the Bay, and that's something we're wanting to address this week.

"It's a difficult proposition playing against a side who have a couple of Super 12 players and effectively, four or five internationals, because the influence of those players can't help but rub off on everyone else."

Counties have made an encouraging start to their season, beating Manawatu 28-19 before knocking over Nelson Bays 30-20 last weekend.

In other second-division games today, East Coast play Marlborough in Ruatoria, Manawatu take on Mid-Canterbury in Palmerston North and Nelson Bays entertain Hawkes Bay.

In the third division, Wanganui host Poverty Bay in Wanganui, North Otago play Buller in Oamaru, Wairarapa Bush host Horowhenua-Kapiti in Masterton and West Coast face King Country at Greymouth.

Counties Manukau: Amasio Valence, Mark Lawson, Casey Laulala, Niva Ta'auso, Setiveni Sitivatu, Stephen Donald, Kevin Senio, Dion Kingi, Wayne McEntee (capt), Kristian Ormsby, Semesi Saukawa, Afoa Peterson, Alan McLean, Grant Henson, Dave Stewart. Reserves: Liki Misa, Latiume Maka, Kitione Viliamu, Craig Glendinning; Kevin Farrell, Quinton Sanft, Gus Leger.

Thames Valley: Bevan Robinson, Gerry Veguurs, Stevie Hill, Glen Neems, Dion Lawson, Terri Rahui, Kyle O'Brien, Jarrad Norstrom, Simon McKearney, Steven Trebilco, Chris Gibbs, Clinton Watene/Patrick Finau, Richard Tuhoro, Ryan Tohoia, Api Apelu. Reserves (from): Mark Frost, Cama Dranavesi, Dean Maloney, Roger Wilton, Carl Tremayne, Paul Tuli, Carl Davis, Hayden Cullen.