Manawatu ready to show worth

For the Lions the incentive tonight is a case of the bleedin' obvious, but Manawatu aren't short of reasons to be up for a big crack at the tourists.

Several weeks ago when the debate swirled over which of the 14 candidates should be rejected for places in what was expected to be the new 12-team premier NPC next year, Manawatu were tipped to be one of the dropouts.

Instead, in an about-face by the New Zealand Rugby Union, all 14 received a tick, even though Manawatu finished sixth in the second division last year, which is hardly a ringing endorsement of their claims to be in.

"It's a chance for us to show we are worthwhile to have in the 14-team NPC," captain, hooker and former Blues and Auckland player Nathan Kemp said.

"It's a chance to really show what we've got."

Coach Charlie McAlister has introduced several players from outside the region.

North Harbour trio Graeme Smith, goalkicking halfback Jonathan Hargreaves and Jason Campbell, plus Kemp, lock Tim Faleafaga from Wellington and beefy loosehead prop Sam Moore from King Country are new arrivals.

In their lead-up, Manawatu beat a weakened Wellington team in their annual Coronation Shield game for the first time since 1989 and pushed first division Northland close, losing by eight points a few days ago.

But Kemp, who had two games off the bench for the Blues in last year's Super 12 and has had nine games for Auckland, said Manawatu had not been too concerned who lined up against them tonight.

"As the Lions have got closer you could see the boys getting more excited.

"They [the Lions] are all internationals and we're just a bunch of second division club players."

After their problems in the provincial games so far, the Lions will see Kemp as a stranger bearing gifts if they hear that.

But there's no doubting this should be their easiest game of a progressively more difficult tour.

A glance down the line-up shows two big losers from Saturday night's calamitous first test, English pair Jason Robinson and Martin Corry, who have been relegated to the mid-week team.

Several others have no chance to make the second test side, but there are a handful who can play their way in.

Top of that list are hooker Gordon Bulloch - captain for the second time on tour, and a player whom coach Sir Clive Woodward labelled highly unlucky to miss the first test - huge prop Andrew Sheridan, lock Donncha O'Callaghan, who has been consistently impressive, and possibly backs Shane Williams and Geordan Murphy.

"It's a good opportunity for the guys," Bulloch said.

"Last week we were told the Tuesday players wouldn't be involved in the first test.

"This week Clive's made it clear that guys playing [against Manawatu] will be picked this week. So from my point of view there's a lot to play for. It's also a chance to get the tour back on track."

Bulloch said the aim would be domination and taking the chances which were squandered in last week's game against Southland.

* Manawatu vs Lions, Palmerston North, 7.10, tonight

Manawatu

Frank Bryant Bevan, Gray, Jason Campbell, Matt Oldridge, Johnny Leota, Graham Smith, J. Hargreaves, Bryan Matenga, Josh Bradnock, Hayden Triggs, Paul Rodgers, Tim Faleafaga, Keni Barrett, Nathan Kemp (c), Sam Moore

Reserves: Simon Easton, Isaac Cook, Paula Maisiri, Chris Moke, David Palu, Nick Buckley, Ben Trew.

Lions

Geordan Murphy, Jason Robinson, Ollie Smith, Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Williams, Charlie Hodgson, Chris Cusiter, Michael Owen, Martyn Williams, Martin Corry, D. O'Callaghan, Simon Shaw, John Hayes, G. Bulloch (c), Andy Sheridan

Reserves: Mark Cueto, Ronan O'Gara, Gareth Cooper, Neil Back, Brent Cockbain, Matt Stevens, Andy Titterrell