Fans demand first-up win

ROBERT CHARLES

The message: Taranaki rugby coach Colin Cooper lays down what he wants at team training ahead of tonight's natinal provincial competition match against Northland in New Plymouth.

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In a year of celebration, the opening chapter of Taranaki's 125th anniversary needs to start with a win against Northland tonight.

The fans who have watched Taranaki build their squad with a large number of off-season signings will certainly demand it, especially if the side is going to live up to the expectations set by captain Craig Clarke, who has insisted 2010 will be the year they once again challenge for a top-four spot.

While the goal is ambitious and should be applauded, the first priority has to be making the top-seven premier division cut-off, in itself no easy feat.

To make either goal, Tenderlink Taranaki have to put sides like Northland, Tasman, Manawatu and Counties Manukau away, given the margins between the better sides is likely to be small, such is the anticipated closeness of this year's national championship.

Taranaki's pre-season buildup has been mixed in the past month, returning two losses and a win, but more importantly showing Taranaki coach Colin Cooper a clear blueprint of where improvements need to be made.

Cooper made no secret of his disappointment at the effort put in by his players during a 25-minute first-half period against Bay Of Plenty last week when Taranaki leaked five tries through some inept defence.

He was still scratching his head at training on Tuesday as to why virtually the same players could put together such a great effort in their victory over Waikato a week before, yet fall off so badly in stages seven days later.

Whatever the reasons, there appeared to be a clear lift in intensity and focus at training this week as the ITM Cup opener drew rapidly closer.

Cooper sprung few surprises in selection, rightly opting to start the new recruits in a backline that bares little resemblance to that used by former coach Adrian Kennedy 12 months earlier.

The back three of Kurt Baker, Andre Taylor and David Smith can equal any in the competition on attack, provided they are given the opportunity of space and field position. The onus on providing that, as well as comfortable ball for first five-eighth Willie Ripia, of course falls on the forwards.

While they have looked more than adequate at set piece in the leadup matches, the front eight are probably still searching for a tad more aggression in their approach, although their ability to turn the ball over in the tackle remains strong.

The breakdown, so often the main focus of the referee, will need to be accurate for Taranaki, especially if the home side wants to build its attack over the advantage line and create some disarray in a Northland side that offers a variety of experience, as well as attacking skill.

"They've got a great backline," Cooper said when asked about tonight's opponents. "There is some real attacking ability there, so we have to make sure our set piece is on the money and we show composure with the ball."

That much-needed composure will centre on taking the right option with ball in hand, especially in their own 22 where too many passes have been thrown when the ball could have been better used.

"We just have to treasure the ball more and deny them the ball because their backline could be lethal," Cooper said.

The return of Tyson Keats to the Taranaki No 9 jersey after a week out with injury is a plus, given his speed around the fringes, and he should have a clear edge on former New Plymouth Old Boys halfback Luke Hamilton.

Veteran first five-eighth David Holwell is back to put his 35-year-old frame through another provincial campaign, although the focal point of Northland's backline will be centre Rene Ranger, who missed the cut for the All Blacks trip to Melbourne.

Northland coach Bryce Woodward said Ranger had found it difficult to adjust from the high of playing for the national side to return to a pre-season game last week with his province.

Ranger's confrontation with Taranaki debutant and Blues team-mate George Pisi will be one of many interesting match-ups as the home side's players get a measure of this year's competition.

While Northland's pre-season campaign had been mixed, winning over North Harbour and losing to Auckland, it had come at a price, with Woodward losing his two first-choice openside flankers.

- © Fairfax NZ News