Rugby: Mooloo men face danger in Pukekohe

By WYNNE GRAY and NZPA

Danger, danger. The warning signs surround Pukekohe Stadium.

If Waikato have not absorbed all those cautions about tomorrow's NPC duel with Chiefs' franchise partner Counties Manukau, much of the noise being made about their Ranfurly Shield defence against Canterbury, will dissipate.

For the Mooloo men to raise their reputations, they have to erase some demons about Sunday rugby and let-downs after strong shield defences. They have to swat Counties.

There will be problems. Waikato have made some changes, both to reignite tired regulars and offer others some play, while Counties have boiled close to victory several times. If they get a fast start tomorrow, that dearth of wins could disappear.

Five straight defeats is rough for any team to digest, but the Counties squad have not moped about the training paddock. Before the season they discussed a likely rough journey ahead. They talked about keeping their standards and values.

"It has been frustrating," coach Andrew Talaimanu said. "It is all very well for the head sherang to say that, but the boys have been fantastic.

"We have made too many mistakes, but you cannot criticise the effort. They have played with heart and pride and we are glad we have stuck with local players."

Waikato were one of the hot NPC teams, Talaimanu said, but if Counties players were to get Chiefs contracts, they had to produce quality rugby. The plan had to be all about a victory.

"It is about the big brother playing the little brother, except this is in our backyard. You know what those contests are like ... there will be a lot of passion."

It is make or break time for Taranaki and Otago in New Plymouth tonight.

With their All Blacks back on duty, Otago go into the match buoyed by a decisive 42-10 win against Northland in Dunedin last weekend.

That win lifted Otago to sixth equal with Northland on 11 points. Taranaki are eighth on nine points after two wins from five games.

Otago and Taranaki need to win their remaining four games, so the playoff hopes of one side will evaporate tonight.

Otago coach Kevin Gloag said it was a simple equation.

"It's the turning point for both teams. It's a must-win game. Whoever lose are out, their season is over."

Gloag said he expected Taranaki to come out firing.

"They have suffered two big losses in a row and we know they'll play with a lot of commitment, pride and passion at home. They'll come out with everything switched on."

Canterbury coach Robbie Deans remembers Southland's last win against his province, even though it was 19 years ago.

Deans was Canterbury's fullback at Invercargill in 1981 when Southland won 14-7, helped by a try from flanker Leicester Rutledge.

Deans and Rutledge are in opposition in Christchurch today, but this time as rival first-division coaches.

The odds are stacked against Rutledge, in his first year as Southland coach, as he tries to end Canterbury's 14-match winning streak against Southland.

Canterbury have 10 All Blacks in their starting line-up, Southland have none. The match is Canterbury's dress-rehearsal before their shield challenge next Saturday.

The last quarter against Auckland a fortnight ago and the first quarter against Taranaki last Saturday night showed just how effective Canterbury can be when in possession.

Counties: Loki Crichton, Joeli Vidiri, David Wood, George Leaupepe, Salesi Moimoi, Blair Feeney Danny Lee (c), Koula Tukino, Glen Marsh, Hare Makiri, Kristian Ormsby, Ramon Lindsay, John Akurangi, Grant Henson, Dave Stewart. Res: Phil Lewis, Patrick Petelo, Peter Epati; Mark Todd, George Stowers, Tai Vailala, Alan McLean.

Waikato: Grant McQuoid, Bruce Reihana, Keith Lowen, Scott McLeod, Damian Karauna, Glen Jackson, Rhys Duggan, Deon Muir (c), Marty Holah, Jonno Gibbes, Chresten Davis, Royce Willis, Deacon Manu, Guy Coleman, David Briggs. Res: Nick Collins, Wayne Barr, Ben Willis; Clark McLeod, Scott Couch, Paul Martin, Greg Smith.