Rugby: Rough diamond takes Counties reins

By Chris Rattue

Tough nut prop Lee Lidgard has been handed the Counties-Manukau captaincy for the season.

Coach Mac McCallion admitted some observers would be surprised at his choice of leader, given the 31-year-old's poor disciplinary record.

McCallion said he was hoping the leadership would add some maturity to Lidgard's approach, and added that the loosehead prop was also a fine tactician.

"I know a lot of people will shudder to think he will captain the side," said McCallion.

"But he is a fine thinker about the game and the players have the utmost respect for him and like him.

"He has been what you might describe as uncompromising in his attitude in the past, and some would say he has been dirty.

"But I believe this will pull him back in because he will have to lead by example although he won't lose his aggression - as long as he just controls it.

"I've got great faith in his ability to make the right decisions on the field."

Lidgard takes over from long-time captain Errol Brain, who has gone to Japan. The Chiefs Super 12 prop, who has played 85 games for his union, leads Counties-Manukau when they take on Northland in an NPC warm-up match at Pukekohe Stadium today.

Counties-Manukau are still without representative players like Jonah Lomu, Joeli Vidiri, Glen Marsh and Salesi Moimoi, while John Akurangi is recovering from an ankle operation.

Counties-Manukau faced all sorts of disruptions last year - when they just missed out on another NPC semifinal appearance - because players were taken away by commitments to a variety of countries.

McCallion said: "We can't make excuses because there were a couple of games which we blew, but there were a whole lot of disruptions.

"We've got 10 new players in the squad ... I know it's an old cliche but it is an 80-minute game and we've got to make sure we concentrate for the whole time."

Meanwhile, former All Black Marc Ellis will get half a game at first five-eighth when North Harbour take on Bay of Plenty in Whakatane today.

Veteran Frano Botica will enter the season as captain and the number one choice at pivot, but assistant coach Allan Pollock said Ellis would be groomed as Botica's backup.

"The national selectors have been keen to give Ellis time at first five-eighth to develop his utility value, but Pollock said he and head coach Wayne Shelford would play Ellis there in his own right.

"We believe he has a lot of ability in the position. I've talked to Marc about it and he is very keen to give it a crack," said Pollock.

North Harbour have their New Zealand A players back for the game, and will give a number of newcomers a run including former Waikato B prop Pip Griffin, who is playing for Silverdale.

Samoan test tighthead prop Fosi Pala'amo will almost certainly play the first four NPC games before heading to the World Cup, leaving Blues prop Tony Coughlan (who is recovering from injury), Griffin and the 125kg Les Bone, from the Takapuna club, as the leading props.

Today's side also includes former Wellington wing Karl Te Nana and former Tongan test lock Filiti Fakanogo.

New Waikato coach Kiwi Searancke named his first squad yesterday for warm-up games against Wairarapa Bush and Thames Valley, with Deon Muir retained as captain. Leading prop Michael Collins has not been included because he still requires tests on an injured shoulder.