Alfeld steels himself for big game

BY JOHN ALEXANDER

Tasman Makos halfback Steve Alfeld is typical of his team's attitude each week in the ITM Cup rugby competition.

While some may have been happy the Makos got close to competition leaders Southland last week, Alfeld was extremely frustrated with the result and knows they must beat the Counties Manukau Steelers at Pukekohe tomorrow night to stay within touch of a top seven finish and a place in the top echelon next season.

Alfeld moved from Canterbury primarily to get off the subs bench and earn some serious game time and he's achieved that, having started every match so far.

He's been one of the most consistent performers and an added bonus has been his goal-kicking. He's landed several excellent goals, including one from inside his own half against Taranaki.

The 24-year-old comes from rich sporting stock. His father, Robin Alfeld, was an outstanding rugby league fullback for the champion Hornby club in Christchurch and Canterbury and in 1983 played one test for the Kiwis.

Steve Alfeld said he's always played rugby union having been brought up in Leeston, south of Christchurch and played for the Leeston Club and Canterbury Country. In 2008 he moved to the city and the Christchurch club, played for Canterbury and one match for the Crusaders against the Lions prior to his Canterbury debut. With All Black Andy Ellis and Willi Heinz ahead of him in the pecking order it was time to move, he said.

"There was a chance up here with Kahn Fotuali'i moving. I was looking to go elsewhere. No regrets. I love it up here. Really enjoying it. It's every bit as good as I thought it would be.

"We are playing well. We want to keep improving. Not a lot different to Canterbury in that sense, just a smaller place."

Alfeld said it felt great knocking off his old province a couple of weeks ago in Nelson but against Southland, things didn't go to plan.

"Opportunities were created but we didn't quite take them. Discipline was the main thing that killed us. We gave away eight kickable penalties and they kicked seven of them. We were pinged off the park and also we gave away penalties inside their 22 and when you get there you need to come away with points. We felt we created enough last week to win."

Alfeld enjoys his goal-kicking role and loves the defensive side of the game. He runs well from the base too and said that's an area of his game he's looking to improve further.

He's enjoying being coached by Kieran Keane and Leon MacDonald and said, "They are good. They provide direction but encourage us to play our own game and never bag us for having a go."

Alfeld knows Counties Manukau will be a big challenge with so much attacking firepower, especially with Tana Umaga back from injury in midfield.

"Their back three are going to run everything at us if we kick it to them. All our kicks either have to find touch or be contestable."

The Makos might find themselves walking into an ambush tomorrow night at Bayer Growers Stadium at Pukekohe. The Counties Manukau Union is promoting a legends day, inviting all their former All Blacks, centurions and anyone who has played for the union to come along and support their team. Those among the crowd will include Joeli Vidiri, Andy Dalton, Alan Dawson and Bruce Robertson.

The hosts will certainly attack at every opportunity and have plenty of attacking ammunition to fire in the form of Tim Nanai Williams, Sherwin Stowers, Umaga and Ahsee Tuala.

Coach Milton Haig said: "We're at home in front of family and friends. It's extra motivation having all those ex-players there. We want to make sure we put in a good performance befitting the occasion."

The key for the Makos is to dominate up front and to that end, an improvement in set pieces is paramount. The inclusion of All Black prop Ben Franks is a timely boost, especially without injured skipper Chris Jack.

The match is an opportunity for the likes of lock Ben Coman, flanker Tasi Luafutu and bench forwards Jarrod Aberhart and new cap Craig Moore especially to stake their claims for a starting 15 place in a squad which is slowly but surely building depth.

Coach Keane has given his team a clear message heading into this vital must-win clash.

"The biggest lesson (out of the Southland defeat) was a platform. Setting a platform.

"If we set a platform we can play from something a bit better. Based on our last game we got beaten in that regard.

"They (Counties Manukau) have got some rocket ships out there.

"If we tango with them we could be beaten."

Keane said he's very aware his team may be at risk of an ambush with the Counties legends day on.

However, he said that's something his team will just have to cope with and overcome.

BIG MATCH FACTS

Teams

Tasman: Robbie Malneek, Blair Cook, Kade Poki, Tom Marshall, James Kamana, James Marshall, Steve Alfeld, Joe Wheeler, Jonathan Poff, Tasi Luafutu, Ben Coman, Glen Gregory (cpt), Ben Franks, Francis Smith, Fai Mika

Subs: Vernon Fredericks, Craig Moore, Jarrod Aberhart, Shane Christie, Kaide Whiting, Sione Holani, Afeleki Pelenise

Counties Manukau: Tim Nanai Williams, Ahsee Tuala, Siale Piutau, Tana Umaga, Sherwin Stowers, Baden Kerr, August Pulu, Fritz Lee, Pepa Koloamatangi, Ronald Raaymakers, Jamie Chipman, Taisina Tuifua, Jono Owen, Grant Henson, Simon Lemalu

Subs: Mark Price, Graham Dewes, Sikeli Nabou, Mark Selwyn, Samisoni Fisilau, Rey Lee-Lo, David Raikuna

Kick-off: 7.35pm, tomorrow

Referee: Kane McBride

Weather forecast: A mix of cloudy and clear skies with a few showers. Windy. Maximum temperature 12 degrees.

Previous NPC history: 2009, Tasman Makos won 51-15 at Trafalgar Park in Nelson

TAB odds head to head: Counties Manukau $1.70, Tasman Makos $2.05

Current ITM Cup standings: Counties Manukau fifth, Tasman Makos 10th

- The Marlborough Express