Mooloos expect physical Bay of Plenty battle

Waikato rugby coach Chris Gibbes doesn't need reminding how important a good start to the national provincial rugby championship is.

Since winning the title in 2006, Waikato have not reached the semifinals of the Air New Zealand Cup, their best finish being fifth.

This year they need first to ensure they finish in the top seven to ensure participation in next year's streamlined elite division and then try and push for a semifinals berth. Last year they lost three of their first four matches and while they then only dropped one of their next seven, they were always playing catchup and finished sixth.

Bay of Plenty present a tough first-up opponent. They regularly start seasons with a hiss and a roar, coaches Sean Horan and Steve Miln have had more time this year to build and prepare their squad and, with several new faces, the Steamers have come together well in pre-season.

But Gibbes is equally confident they have done their homework this year after he and assistant coaches Scott McLeod and Greg Smith have had more time than last year when Tony Hanks was a late defection from the head coaching role.

Smith has had a foot in both camps in the last two years, having been sacked as Bay coach before the championship even started last year, with Horan taking his place. For him tonight's match cannot help but be personal. But all three coaches have a much wider picture goal than that.

"I think we've learnt a lot about ourselves, over the last couple of weeks in particular, and we've got our feet firmly on the ground," Gibbes said. "We know we're not 100 per cent where we want to be but we're working really hard at getting there and confident that where we are right now is going to do the job for us."

Gibbes said his squad had made massive strides since the pre-season work started and they were looking forward to testing themselves against Bay of Plenty, who always bring physicality and intensity to any clash with their Chiefs partners. "I expect nothing but a real physical approach. They'll want to put the ball in the air and they'll want to play. It means a lot to both teams, this game. It's not a Chiefs trial. People are talking about that but it's not. It's the first round of the ITM Cup and the first game of a big season with a lot of meaning to the outcomes of this campaign.

"(Bay of Plenty) are going to want to knock us over and we're up for the challenge, because we know what they're going to bring and I think it's going to be a hell of a game."

Waikato must tame a Bay front eight that includes four Chiefs forwards in loosies Colin Bourke, Tanerau Latimer and Luke Braid along with lock Culum Retallick, plus the experienced former Hurricane lock/flanker Luke Andrews who has returned from a stint in Italy. Waikato have the Chiefs front row, a rising young lineout star in lock Romana Graham and the experience of Steven Setephano and All Black Liam Messam in the loose forwards.

It should be a fascinating set-piece clash and breathtaking breakdown battle and whichever team wins those contests will give their backlines a much-needed edge both in the attacking and defensive phases.

Both teams have pace and flair out wide, with Chiefs star Lelia Masaga lurking on the bench for the Bay.

But should Waikato get on the front foot then they have the backs to do some damage from Jackson Willison and Save Tokula in midfield to the back three of Christian Lealiifano, Sosene Anesi and Dwayne Sweeney.

Some forward and defensive frailties have been exposed in pre-season, although players were fielded to test depth in various positions.

If those have not been addressed this week then Waikato could be in for a tough night.

TEAMS

Waikato: Christian Lealiifano, Sosene Anesi, Save Tokula, Jackson Willison, Dwayne Sweeney, Trent Renata, Brendon Leonard, Steven Setephano, Jack Lam, Liam Messam, Toby Lynn, Romana Graham, Nathan White, Aled de Malmanche, Toby Smith. Res: Vern Kamo, Hikairo Forbes, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Matt Vant Leven, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Henry Speight, Tim Mikkelson.

Bay of Plenty: Toby Arnold, Lance MacDonald, Brett Mather, Grant McQuoid, Jason Hona, Dan Waenga, Taniela Moa, Colin Bourke (c), Tanerau Latimer, Luke Braid, Culum Retallick, Luke Andrews, Josh Hohneck, John Pareanga, Joe Savage. Res: Simon Chisholm, James McGougan, Aidan Kuka, Solomon King/Sam Cane, Chad Tuoro, Phil Burleigh, Lelia Masaga. Referee: Kane McBride (Canterbury). Kickoff: 6.35 tonight, Waikato Stadium

- © Fairfax NZ News