Counties learned plenty about knock- out rugby last year and would love the chance to show that in 2014.
Counties- Manukau reckon they learned plenty about knock- out football last year which they hope will see them better prepared for the business end in 2014. NIGEL YALDEN reports.
The Big Picture
In the last two seasons Counties- Manukau have re- established themselves as the entertainers of provincial rugby and the game in New Zealand is better for it.
The Steelers high octane, run- aroundover- and- through- you- style of play saw them claim the Championship title in 2012 and last season they followed that by lifting the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in their 59- year history, which in turn propelled them to their first semifinal appearance in top division since 1999.
So what can we expect from CountiesManukau in 2014? That’s easy… more of the same and then some. Just look at the wonderful talent in the backline.
Individually, Augustine and Toni Pulu, Tim Nanai- Williams, Bundee Aki, Frank Halai, Ray Lee- Lo, Ahsee Tuala and Sherwin Stowers have the ability to change a game on their own, but working as a collective they are downright scary.
Put that behind a hardworking, uncompromising but skilled forward pack that will feature Pauliasi Manu, Ronald Raaymakers, Jimmy Tupou, Jordan Taufua, Adam Cathcart, Onosai’i Auva’a and Maama Vaipulu and you have the nucleus of a title contender.
There are some questions though. Can first- five Baden Kerr be effective after missing the Super Rugby season due to finger surgery? And what impact will the emotion of defending the Ranfurly Shield have on energy levels in the latter stages of the campaign? If the answers to those two questions are ‘ yes’ and ‘ none’ then Counties- Manukau will be a formidable challenger to dethrone Canterbury.
Rising Star
Injuries have forced Jared Page to wait for his opportunity at ITM Cup level, but this attack- minded fullback has the skillset to make an impression in an already talent- laden Steelers backline, as illustrated by his 33- point haul on debut, albeit against a Heartland Championship side in Thames Valley.
Page runs good, hard lines, works hard on defence and will provide a reliable back up goalkicking option to Baden Kerr.
Old Dog
Kane Hancy is slowly transitioning into the coaching ranks ( he has just returned from a player/ coach stint in Portugal) so the other Steelers are likely to have him on their back at training as much as coach Tana Umaga will be. Used primarily to back up Augustine
Vision Statement Rugby is a beautiful game and we enjoy showing running rugby because it suits us. However I think we still need to make a step up from last year because while we did pretty well by making the top four and winning the [ Ranfurly] Shield, we want to progress. We want to get back to where we were last year, but challenge better if we do get to the playoffs again. We learned a lot from last season, especially from the semifinal and we believe we’ve been able to make some improvements in key areas to push us higher. Counties- Manukau coach Tana Umaga
Pulu, Hancy still has what it takes to be an effective halfback at provincial level; an excellent organiser, good distributor, a sneaky running game round the fringes but most of all, uber competitive.
New Arrivals
Chief prop Pauliasi Manu makes the move from Auckland to Pukekohe to bolster the frontrow stocks and the loose forward ranks will be helped by the arrival of Jordan Taufua and former Auckland, Blues and Sale Sharks flanker, Onosai’i Auva’a. Three major departures are last year’s captain Fritz Lee ( ClermontAuvergne) hooker Hikawera Elliott ( neck injury) and assistant coach Steve Jackson ( now head coach of North Harbour), the latter being arguably the most significant, given the excellent coaching combination he and Tana Umaga had formed.