Semi-finals are still a possibility
The Steelers are worried more about making the Mitre 10 Cup semi-finals than the threat of relegation.
It’s the frame of mind coach Darryl Suasua says his team will take into their match against Northland at ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe on Sunday.
He says his side must remain positive after their 31-all draw with the Bay of Plenty in Tauranga on Sunday denied them the chance to edge ahead of fifth placed Waikato and last placed Auckland.
The Steelers are nestled between the two, one point behind Waikato and one ahead of Auckland with three games each to play.
The Steelers have Northland, Manawatu and Tasman, Auckland have Bay of Plenty, Tasman and Canterbury and Waikato have Canterbury, North Harbour and Bay of Plenty.
Suasua acknowledges that the Steelers can ill afford another slip with the race for the wooden spoon and relegation being as tight as it is.
Yet he says is heartened by the performance in Tauranga where the Steelers outscored the home side by five tries to four.
‘‘We’re all very disappointed with the draw. We had our chances but few errors let them back into the game. But despite the result that was one of our best games of the season so far.
‘‘There is a chance we can still make the semi-finals from here. I still believe we can step it up a level.’’
The Steelers will have to do it without first choice centre Sam Furniss. An injured knee will likely keep him out for the rest of the season.
In women’s rugby, a bye will give the Counties Manukau Heat the chance to put themselves under the microscope after an unexpected 32-29 loss to Canterbury at Massey Park, Papakura last Saturday.
The defeat snapped the reigning Farah Palmer Cup champions’ 13 game winning streak.
Despite the loss the Heat remain atop the standings three points clear of Canterbury and five ahead of Wellington and Auckland who have 12 points each. And a 40-17 win over Waikato has the Counties Manukau under-18s in the final again Auckland West in Hamilton on Saturday.