Counties spark ignites Chiefs revival

By CHRIS RATTUE

Car pooling is a lot easier these days for the Counties Manukau players in the Chiefs.

There are, after all, just three of them in John Mitchell's squad. A Mini would do the job, and they wouldn't even get the chance to steer it towards Pukekohe Stadium, which has been struck off the Chiefs' list of home venues.

But the Steelers' trio - halfback Danny Lee, loose forward Koula Tukino and fullback Loki Crichton - are having a major influence on the franchise's fortunes this year.

And none more than Lee, the 25-year-old halfback of Hastings origins who scored three tries in the extraordinary 50-19 demolition of the Highlanders in Rotorua on Friday night.

Lee, Tukino and Crichton usually park their cars in a Bombay layby and then share the many trips to Hamilton for whatever coach Mitchell has in store.

"It was disappointing for Counties Manukau people when the squad was announced and there were only three of us in there and no home games," said Lee.

"As a union we've got to win more games, stand up and be counted, and the crowd numbers at Pukekohe Stadium weren't that good. It's really up to us.

"Funnily, there has not been anything said between the players [from Counties Manukau and Waikato] this year. The franchise is growing as a family year by year and the players based in Hamilton realise the travel we do.

"It might only be an hour's drive each way but it is still time just sitting in a car. That's the way it goes, but they know it's something they don't have to do."

If ever there was a case of a career being transformed, it is that of Lee.

His chance came when one-test All Black Rhys Duggan broke an arm against the Brumbies in the pre-season, and Lee has steadily grown as a major influence in the Chiefs. Duggan is back, but for now at least Lee must be an automatic starter.

Lee has played 11 Super 12 matches in the past two seasons but started in only two. Many appearances came late in games.

Until Friday, Lee had not scored in the Super 12, and had not scored three tries in a match since school.

The moment that perhaps summed up the Chiefs' new self-belief was started by Lee, when he tapped a penalty near his quarter line to spark a magnificent try finished by captain Deon Muir.

As Lee's confidence has grown, Mitchell has asked him to speed up the game and search for opportunist moments.

He took heed, looked to his right, saw Crichton and the speed of Roger Randle in the vicinity, a couple of Highlanders forwards as the only hurdles, and seized the moment.

Lee may have gone from bench warmer to bench mark, but as his experience shows, you never quite know what is around the corner - good or bad.

"The one thing you know with John is you have to perform every week. You are never guaranteed a spot," he said. "We are all working very hard in this team but even though it's an old saying, you can only take it one game at a time."