It’s business time for Turbos

The warmup matches are over, now the real work starts for the Manawatu Turbos.

The side completed their threematch preseason slate with two wins and a loss - it could have been a perfect run for Manawatu had they not fallen asleep in the second half against Tasman.

While it is easy to get carried away with the results, Wellington were void of a host of Super Rugby players in their 28-14 loss to Manawatu and it is hard to take too much from the 38-5 win over Hawke’s Bay given the Magpies’ high error rate.

And in all games teams turned down kicking penalties for a chance to test their lineouts and they had extended benches to roll reserves.

That is part of the reason Turbos coach Jeremy Cotter was not spending too much time worrying about the scoreboard in those matches.

"We can't let a positive result get in the way of our drive to get better." Jeremy Cotter, Turbos coach

‘‘It is nice to get some wins because winning can be a habit. But the focus is not on winning these games. Hawke’s Bay will be able to brush this off fairly easy and focus on getting better. We can’t let a positive result get in the way of our drive to get better,’’ he said.

‘‘We have got to put results to the side and focus on doing our stuff right.’’

But he described Friday night’s win over Hawke’s Bay as pleasing and was happy to get a closer look at set-piece.

‘‘Our lineout got challenged a lot more so that was good to show us what will work and what won’t. You can get a false sense in preseason games because there is no contesting so playing a lineout that put some pressure on us was good.’’

Manawatu had Jackson Hemopo, Kayne Hammington and Antonio Kiri Kiri back on deck for the Hawke’s Bay match.

Second five-eighth Hamish Northcott was a late scratching as he continues to battle concussion issues. First five-eighth/halfback Sam Malcolm is still dealing with a rib injury and prop Sean Paranihi has an elbow injury.

Otere Black and captain Heiden Bedwell-curtis are now back with the team, but Crusaders prop Michael Alaalatoa will take the final week off rest he is entitled to before rejoining the squad for their build up for their week two match.

Looking ahead to the season, Cotter said he was not a fan of setting lofty targets.

‘‘If you get in the semifinal anything can happen so that is your immediate goal,’’ he said.

‘‘I don’t like to put a target like we want to be back in the premiership. We want to build and build and take every week as it comes. If we earn the right to get in the semis then it is on.’’

PRE-SEASON TOP PERFORMER

Jamie Booth

The halfback was outstanding in all three matches. Highlanders halfback Kayne Hammington will be in a major fight to even get onto the field.

Booth showed off his pace with some well-timed darting runs, but also impressed with his kicking and passing.

His decision making looked improved and he was much more decisive with his actions on the park.

Tha challenge now is to transfer that form into the regular season.

TOOK HIS CHANCE Lewis Marshall

After not being contracted for the full squad, the 27-game Turbos utility back, who spent the last two seasons with Hawke’s Bay, showed his class in the No 13 jersey.

He added plenty of x-factor and flare with ball in hand and put himself in contention for playing time, at least until Jason Emery returns from a knee injury around round five.

Hooker

Depth in the No 2 jersey remains very light for the Turbos with only two fit players signed.

On the plus side, Hunter Prescott was refreshingly accurate in his core roles.

He also showed more impact across the field which should ensure he is the No 1 option to start the season.

Tim Cadwallader was outstanding across the park. His lineout throwing was improved, but there were still a few hiccups for him to