Cyclones stay focused for clash

The Manawatu¯ Cyclones have been at their attacking best for the past fortnight, but they aren’t getting ahead of themselves ahead of a southern clash this weekend.

Heading into their match against Otago at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin tomorrow the Cyclones are on a roll after a tight win over Wellington in the capital and a home thrashing of Tasman.

Otago have beaten Hawke’s Bay, but lost heavily to Wellington and, like the Cyclones, Canterbury in Farah Palmer Cup southern pool play.

A win this weekend and a semifinal spot beckons, but Cyclones coach Fusi Feaunati said Otago can’t be under-estimated, especially their backline in the halves.

‘‘They can play. They’ve got some threats in areas that could be damaging to us if we don’t look after them.’’

Last week’s Wellington clash was a see-sawing all-attacking affair where both sides had moments of dominance.

Feaunati said that team had reviewed the match and come up with a few areas in which to get better as part of a solid week of preparation.

The team’s set pieces had been strong, but they had at times looked flustered and made poor decisions when chances to score arose.

But the attacking intent would remain.

‘‘We’ve got to play to our strengths. Teams have got to be unable to work out ways to stop us.’’

The Cyclones fly out today for the 2pm match tomorrow and return on Monday.

They’ll also keep their eyes on the Wellington versus Canterbury game, hoping for a Canterbury win to make Wellington’s road to the playoffs harder.

Manawatu¯ Cyclones: 15 Selica Winiata (captain), 14 Rangimarie Sturmey, 13 Crystal Mayes, 12 Rebekah Tufuga, 11 Janna Vaughan, 10 Carys Dallinger, 9 Lucy Brown; 8 Kaipo Olsen-baker, 7 Sam Tipene, 6 Rhiarna Ferris, 5 Rachael Rakatau, 4 Kahurangi Sturmey, 3 Sosoli Talawadua, 2 Jayme Nuku, 1 Marilyn Live. Reserves: 16 Ngano Tavake, 17 Kaytee Donaldson, 18 Ashleigh Knight, 19 Taylor Waterson, 20 Paige Lush, 21 KaiaHayes Waitoa-walker, 22 Alesha Williams.