Heady stuff as Bay tackle the mind games

It's all in the mind, as far as Bay of Plenty are concerned going into their NPC opener against Otago in Dunedin tomorrow.

Coach Vern Cotter has had the frown lines out in the leadup to the competition, unhappy at the hot and cold nature of the Bay's preparation.

The Bay were the darlings of last year's first division as they surged into the semifinals, and will be fancied to back that up this time. However Cotter reckons they're some way short of what is required at the moment.

"Sometimes we can put phases together. We can train well for a period, then things don't go quite as well," Cotter said.

He puts it down to players adjusting from club rugby, where they can switch off for 15 or 20 minutes and not have it prove too costly, to the NPC.

"It's mental. Part of it is conditioning and learning to refocus," he said.

Cotter put some perspective on Bay of Plenty's fine run last year, when they beat Auckland, Waikato, Otago, Wellington, Northland, Southland and North Harbour, pointing out that each season presented fresh challenges. This weekend they face an Otago side smarting from a 44-16 duffing they received in Tauranga last September.

"Last year we got Auckland unprepared, won the Ranfurly Shield, and got a lot of momentum behind the team.

"The guys played out of their skins all season. This year the teams which did miss out on the semifinals, like Otago and Auckland, will have a major focus.

"In Otago's case this weekend they will be dangerous because of that shift in attitude. They'll be very confident and confrontational."

Not that the Bay are exactly pussycats in that regard. They are without Glen Jackson and Rua Tipoki from last season's backline, but new first five-eighths Murray Williams has made a bright start and showed his talents against the Lions in June.

There are Super 12 players dotted throughout and despite Cotter's concerns, one of his senior players is relishing the prospect of building on last year.

"With the success we had last year we just want to keep the momentum rolling," 32-year-old fullback Adrian Cashmore said.

The former All Black is thriving as one of the senior pros and keen to be instrumental in making the Bay's resurgence permanent.

"Having a few more guys involved in the Super 12 has certainly helped. The attitude we are creating is something we've been working at for a long time. It showed last year and it's great to be part of it."