Rugby: Second division provinces ready for action

Although the prospect of automatic promotion to the NPC elite is as likely as an All Black supporter's applause at a John Eales' penalty, the country's second-tier provinces will not lack motivation when the 2000 season opens this weekend.

For champions Nelson Bays the incentive sits in the trophy cabinet - they simply want to prove last year's 14-13 win over perennial bridesmaids Bay of Plenty wasn't a one-off.

But, as is tradition, coach Bill Liddell spurns the phrase "defending champions," consigning last year's joyous scenes at Trafalgar Park to the rugby almanack.

"We are out to win it, not to defend it, that's our focus."

Nelson face the rugged King Country this weekend with a depleted lineup after an injury-plagued buildup.

Superboot Warren Johnston, who stroked the title-winning penalty last year, is among a host of players on the injured list. Others could include new first five-eighths Jack Kelly, prop Blair Murfin and flanker Cory Holdaway.

Bay of Plenty coach Gordon Tietjens no doubt hopes it will be his team's year.

Last year's squad has been bolstered by sevens star Rico Gear and lock Jason Chandler. Eroni Clarke, a brief addition, is back in Auckland.

Sevens sensation Justin Wilson resisted moves elsewhere and will be a key component in the backline.

Their only major loss in the pack is flanker Glen Remnant to France.

King Country welcome back former Blues hooker Paul Mitchell to the Te Kuiti fold, and coach Noel McQuilkin is also pleased to acquire Taumarunui lock Lance Tippy, whose running style he likens to a young Colin Meads.

Captain Daniel Godbold and Jason Gellatly will provide steel in a rawboned pack, while, further out, centre Hayden Martine was one of the form player in the division last year.

Hawkes Bay will be relieved they did not have a Ranfurly Shield challenge in the lead-up to their opening clash with Marlborough.

The repercussions of their 0-86 defeat to Waikato were felt throughout last season, although they made the semifinals, losing to Nelson Bays.

The union has turned to 1980s All Black hard-man Mark "Cowboy" Shaw to continue the rebuild.

Shaw has shown faith in young talent, including Michael Johnson, Reece Robinson, Clint Newland, Daniel Quate and Rangi Vallance.

Interestingly, the squad includes two Zimbabwe internationals in first five-eighths Antony Papenfus and winger Karl Mudzamba, plus two Auckland loan players, prop Joseph Lao and utility forward Nisifolo Naufahu.

The only real experience is in the form of veteran prop Orcades Crawford and flanker Mutu Ngarimu.

In the backs, Murdoch Paewai has made a timely return from Japan.

Meanwhile, Shaw's former province, Manawatu, is another union in rebuild mode and coach John Fisher admits that fans of the green and whites should not expect a drastic change of fortune.

"It won't be a disaster if we don't win it [the title] but it would be nice to make the top four.

Fisher has to contend with the loss of key players such as last year's captain, Phonse Carroll, and young openside flanker James Gutsell, to injury.

The losses have been offset, however, by the return of halfback Tim Kareko from Northland and the transfer of Northland lock Andrew Gibb.

The rest of the division, while unrealistic title contenders, will be hoping to tip over one of the big names.

Mid-Canterbury should not be underestimated on their home ground at the Ashburton Showgrounds, where they won three of their four games last year.

A significant loss is captain and No 8 Stu Doig, who has headed to Spain, along with goalkicking first five-eighths Brad Mooar. Prop Dave McCrea has hung up his boots after more than 100 games for the union.

But coach Peter McGrath welcomes discarded Canterbury and Crusaders halfback Aaron Flynn.

"He brings a lot of experience to our team, and leadership qualities as well."

Flynn will be joined at Mid-Canterbury by Tongan test wing Aisea Havili, Sydney Wests No 8 Nick Gregorski and centre Simole Kama, who returns from North Harbour for a second season.

Another union with little local-player depth and a reliance on loan players, Norman Pratt's Thames Valley, are also determined not to be cannon fodder.

Pivot Terry Rahui and flanker Simon McKearney, who play club rugby in Auckland and Counties are back to add experience alongside hooker Roger Wilton.

New Wanganui coach Bernie Kelly will also rely on local talent and admits one significant loss is centre Joe Faaiu to Nelson Bays.

Flanker Jason Caskey will captain the side, while Kelly will be reliant on the experience of first five-eighths Jerome Nahona, a centurion for the union.

Cellar-dwellers last year, Marlborough are looking to at least climb a couple of rungs.

They beat Manawatu and Wanganui last year and ran Nelson close.

Returning coach Peter Jones will have to plot his campaign without experienced Cantabrian Dion Kerr and goalkicking fullback David Hill, who has headed to Southland.

Gaps are also left by halfback Kelvin McDowell and locks Matt Kerr and Peter Nicholas.

To compound Marlborough's difficulties they are not blessed with a great draw. They face Hawkes Bay and Manawatu in rounds one and three and finish with Nelson Bays and Hawkes Bay.

Round one matches: Tomorrow, Nelson Bays v King Country, Nelson; Wanganui v Bay of Plenty, Wanganui; Mid-Canterbury v Manawatu, Ashburton; Hawkes Bay v Marlborough, Napier; bye, Thames Valley.

- NZPA