Loss of captain 'not an issue'

One All Black departs as another returns as the Tasman Makos prepare to take on Counties Manukau tomorrow to kick-start round six of the ITM Cup provincial rugby competition.

News of All Black prop Ben Franks' return to the Makos pack has been offset by the loss of captain Chris Jack as a precautionary measure, with the former All Black lock experiencing some swelling to the knee that underwent minor remedial off-season surgery.

It means that Glen Gregory will lead the side at Pukekohe's Growers Stadium and will lock the scrum with his Waimea Old Boys clubmate Ben Coman, who made an impressive starting debut last Friday against Southland.

A former Canterbury B captain, Gregory's also led his Waimea club side and, as one of the Makos' in-form forwards, doesn't have any concerns about leading the team in what he described as "must win" match.

"It's not an issue, really," he said. "There's plenty of other senior players in there and we'll just carry on doing our jobs.

"With Ben [Franks] coming in, it's just adding competition, but it's a big loss losing Jacko as his leadership's been invaluable to the team, I think. But I think the boys who are there, we've all got faith in each other to step up to the plate, so I don't think it's an issue.

"Ben's got plenty of leadership experience himself and he'll do the job that's asked of him, I've got no doubt."

Tasman coach Kieran Keane said it wasn't worth risking Jack with eight rounds of competition remaining.

"He's had a substantial workload in playing all the games and we need to be prudent," he said. "It's a long way to go yet, so we're taking the advice to rest him up and we've got that opportunity to do that this week.

"I'm a bit worried about the height and the weight [of the pack], but both Glen and Ben will do a job, and they'll do it with a lot of ihi [authority]."

While Keane was still seething about the impact of Australian referee Nathan Pearce's lopsided penalty count in the loss to Southland, he said the players simply had to adapt.

"I've spent a lot of time looking at those penalties. Half of those were dubious. I'm just gutted about the whole thing; it was just rubbish, in my book.

"[But] I don't think we can let referees dictate [what we do]. I think we have to adapt and we've discussed that ... if it gets untidy. We only get one shot at it and if we butt heads, I don't think we're going to win anything."

Keane was wary of a Counties side currently sitting five places higher than them on the championship table.

"They're a wee bit ahead of us because they've had a great start to their season.They have a fair bit of belief and they'll be tough nut to crack up there. We're going to have to be on our mettle to take up that challenge.

"They have some real livewire players and they like to play with freedom so they won't be leaving anything in the tank. They won't be conservative, I'm picking."

Keane said he was more concerned about what his players would bring to the contest.

"The focus is getting our own game together and getting a bit of control and, obviously, the set phase platform has been a focus all week. We've been disappointed in the individual mistakes in the analysis of it over the last two weeks, really. We've identified small fixable things.

"It's [been about] the individual and not working as a unit. It's been individual mistakes but they've become perennial and that's what we're trying to stamp out. The focus this week has been on the platform from the lineout and even though we've got the captain out, we hope to see some improvement as a unit."

With the Makos currently lying in 10th place, the importance of tomorrow night's clash certainly wasn't lost on Gregory.

"It's a big game for us. It's a must win, really, and we're under no illusions about what we're up against up there, so it's quite exciting," he said. "We don't want to give them too much ball. Without that, they can't use all that flair."

Tasman Makos: Robbie Malneek, Blair Cook, Kade Poki, Tom Marshall, James Kamana, James Marshall, Steve Alfeld, Joe Wheeler, Jonathan Poff, Tasi Luafutu, Ben Coman, Glen Gregory (captain), Ben Franks, Francis Smith, Fai Mika. Reserves: Vernon Fredericks, Craig Moore, Jarrod Aberhart, Shane Christie, Kaide Whiting, Sione Holani, Afeleki Pelenise.

Counties Manukau Steelers: Tim Nanai Williams, Ahsee Tuala, Siale Piutau, Tana Umaga, Sherwin Stowers, Baden Kerr, August Pulu, Fritz Lee, Pepa Koloamatangi, Ronald Raaymakers, Jamie Chipman, Taiasina Tuifua, Jono Owen, Grant Henson, Simon Lemalu. Reserves: Mark Price, Graham Dewes, Sikeli Nabou, Mark Selwyn, Samisoni Fisilau, Rey Lee-Lo, David Raikuna.

- © Fairfax NZ News