Newcomers share craving to take on the heavyweights

The lesser lights in the new national championship share one point of common ground: they can't wait to roll their sleeves up and have a crack at the big boys.

There are sure to be some serious blowouts in the coming weeks. But you'd hope there will also be some results which raise eyebrows, and self-esteem at the likes of Tasman and Manawatu.

Certainly Counties Manukau, who host Otago at Mt Smart Stadium today, are relishing the chance to test themselves at a higher level than they've been at for many years.

Their last year in the old NPC first division was 2001 when they were relegated and, in a rejig of the numbers, the championship was trimmed to 10 teams.

Six of today's 22 appeared that year - backs Niva Ta'auso, then a Wesley College pupil, Blair Feeney, who played 12 games, and Mark Lawson, and forwards Kristian Ormsby, Grant Henson and Luke Mealamu.

In 2001, Ben Meyer was on loan from Auckland to Northland, just one of a variety of moves he's made round the northern region.

Starting with North Harbour in 1998, he is at his fourth union, having done stints at Auckland and Northland and three Super 12 seasons with the Blues as a replacement halfback.

He's been appointed captain of Counties, which, as a newcomer, he's chuffed about. He and others who also have Super rugby experience such as Ormsby, Ta'auso and Lelia Masaga, plus experienced first five-eighths Feeney, will be crucial if Counties are to make their mark.

"For us, it's a real unknown," he said of the Air New Zealand Cup. "The pre-season is not much of a gauge, although the results have been good for us. It's been good in terms of what the coaches have been asking of us. They've kept it quite simple and the guys have warmed to that."

Meyer, 28, reckons the blend of old heads and fresh faces is a good mix.

"Having guys like Blair, Kristian and Niva in reasonably key positions will definitely help us. As the intensity increases, you need experienced people who can keep a calm head.

"But you also need the young guys because you get enthusiasm. They just want to have a go, and as senior players we can monitor that."

Meyer is no autocrat. He says Counties have a leadership group of several players who work through important issues.

"Obviously I flip the coin, run the boys out and make the aftermatch speech, but we're definitely a collective. And at the end of the day it's about the team, not the captain."

Meyer's year at Northland in 2001 included being part of the side which came down to Eden Park one memorable night. After years of poundings, they triumphed 44-43, prompting a national rubbing of the eyes at the result the next morning.

"Never write teams off," Meyer says and his point is a good one. Anybody assuming the likes of Counties or Tasman are going to be cannon fodder might get a surprise in the coming weeks.

Of most interest from the Otago side will be the appearance of Nick Evans, after his lengthy injury layoff.

The All Black selectors will be taking an interest too.

* North Harbour give representative debuts to hooker James Hincho and second five-eighths Puanani Hunia on their trip to Tasman tomorrow.

They have lost 10 players from last year's run to the semifinals, but should have enough to get the points.

"If our set pieces are sound and our strike moves as a backline to penetrate the first advantage line have high degree of accuracy, those things will follow into good team and game performance," coach Allan Pollock said.

* Northland have a real chance of putting the losing bogey to bed tomorrow when they host Southland in Whangarei.

It was in 2002 that Northland last won a domestic championship match ... that was against Southland too.

The word is that they are significantly fitter than last year, which admittedly wouldn't be hard, but they have a smattering of decent players, including captain David Holwell, halfback John Senio, No 8 Jake Paringatai and hooker Tim Dow.

* Wellington should be too strong for Taranaki in the other opening round match in New Plymouth tonight.