Shield holders wary of fire in the belly of East Coast

Not many years ago an East Coast challenge for the Ranfurly Shield would hardly have sent a shiver through the spine of the holders.

East Coast have conceded 314 points and managed just six in five previous bids for the shield.

But Canterbury are anxious going into the 13th defence of their present reign at Jade Stadium tonight.

Second division East Coast have made rapid advances since conceding a century of points against Auckland in a shield challenge in Ruatoria in 1997, and Canterbury have a relatively inexperienced forward pack to combat the visitors where they are most competitive.

Six of Canterbury's forwards are in their first season with the province's top team, and only captain and halfback Ben Hurst and centre Nathan Mauger played in Canterbury's last shield defence of 2001 against Waikato.

Canterbury coach Aussie McLean said yesterday that if the East Coast forwards overran Canterbury's pack, the shield could be going to Ruatoria.

"But I'm anticipating our forwards will front up."

Hurst, captaining Canterbury for the first time, said a "little bit of apprehension" pervaded the Canterbury camp.

"We're aware of what East Coast can do, but we've got a lot of young players who are really looking forward to the challenge.

"The guys are so excited. For a lot of them it is their first home game at Jade Stadium in front of family and friends. They'll be jumping out of their skins. If we can take that sort of excitement into the game, then I'm sure it will bode well."

Hurst said he felt "pretty humble" when given the captaincy on Sam Broomhall's departure with the All Blacks.

He said little changed with the captaincy. "What we do at training all week remains much the same. With the leadership you have to make a few decisions on the field, but that's about it."

Neither McLean nor his East Coast counterpart Joe McClutchie can call on past history between the provinces for inspiration.

In their only match-up, Canterbury won 12-11 in Ruatoria in 1957.

The two teams are likely to employ different tactics. East Coast prefer to keep it tight and use the rolling maul, while Canterbury will want to use their backs to run their bigger rivals around.

East Coast's season has started unsuccessfully, with last year's second division runners-up losing to Waikato B 16-13 and 37-23 to a Wellington XV.

McClutchie said the forwards were his team's strength and they would not be surrendering possession lightly.

"We have to keep the ball, otherwise our big boys will be run around the paddock and will run out of steam.

"I think we'll be competitive. I know Canterbury will be strong, but we'll give them a good run."

Canterbury: Ben Blair, Scott Hamilton, Nathan Mauger, Alisi Tupuailei, Dan Carter, Charlie Hore, Ben Hurst (capt), Rhys Williams, Johnny Leo'o, Daniel Turner, Matt Dalzell, Trevor Brown, Campbell Johnstone, Laurence Corlett, Chris King. Reserves: David Hoani, Joe Naufahu, Corey Tamou, Andrew Morgan, Leighton Croft, Con Barrell, Ti'i Paulo.

East Coast: Dwayne Russell, August Collins, Willy Collins, James Ehau, Marty Lloyd, Mano Flutey, Victor Taingahue, Morgan Wirepa, Paul Symes, Jason Bellamy, Kele Leawere, Horace Lewis, Mike Noble, Derek Leefe, Orcades Crawford. Reserves: Koro Ngarimu, Tyrone Delamere, John Bradbrook, Izrael Aupouri, Eru Bristowe, Sam Matenga, Gordon Hinaki.