Taranaki gets wake-up call before vital match
Samoan import to get first start
BY GLENN MCLEAN
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The words "RWC one year to go" have been emblazoned on the surface of Yarrow Stadium for tomorrow's ITM rugby match.
They are a reminder that the countdown to the World Cup is on. But it will be the 80 minutes immediately after Tenderlink Taranaki runs out for its match with Counties-Manukau that will matter most.
Win and Taranaki will be back in the top four. Lose and the bottom half of the table will beckon.
One thing is certain – they can not afford another "sleepy Sunday" effort like the one produced last week when Taranaki failed to meet Auckland with enough aggression and skill at the breakdown.
Expect sharp improvement in that area tomorrow, given how much emphasis has been placed on it at training.
Taranaki coach Colin Cooper has made two changes from the side that fronted Auckland, with Shane Cleaver replacing Carl Carmichael at loosehead prop, while Samoa captain Mahonori Schwalger gets his first start after being drafted in following Laurence Corlett's broken arm. Schwalger's experience could be vital around Taranaki's young props, while he appears to have an edge in accuracy over Timo Tutavaha with his lineout throwing.
Cooper has resisted the need to change his backline, after wing David Smith passed his concussion tests, although there has been a clear message from the coaching staff that they expect the Taranaki backs to improve their angles and the way they attack the advantage line.
The backs, of course, can only operate to their potential if they are given space and front foot ball, something they will should be demanding from a forward pack that needs to lift.
Auckland repeatedly got away with attacking the breakdown from the side at Eden Park and their tactics are likely to be mirrored by Counties who also commit numbers to the tackle area and seem to enjoy players running into their inside channel.
It has also been three years since Taranaki defeated the visitors after a 13-13 draw in 2008 and last year's 33-21 loss at Pukekohe. Interestingly, only a third of that Taranaki team will line up tomorrow.
While they have been the whipping boys for other sides in recent seasons, Counties have a steel to them in 2010. Under coach Milton Haig and assistant Tana Umaga they have combined self-belief with that aggression.
"We've just had to focus on our game, more than what Counties can dish up," Cooper said after training yesterday. "We'll be looking hard at protecting our ball so we can play our game.
"We have to stay on our feet and come through the gate. Our whole focus has been on our ball."
Once again Cooper will demand concentration on defence, while there has also been a fair amount of high balls sent down at training for the outside backs.
Haig has named the same side that easily got past Tasman 23-2 in the last round, with Umaga making himself available after Counties enjoyed a 10-day break in the competition.
The Counties coach was confident his side would not suffer the same flatness Taranaki did after the same period. "We had the opportunity to give the guys a three-day break [from training] because they'd worked pretty hard," he said. "The guys have worked pretty hard this week too and we're not worried about that, that's for sure."
He believed there was still plenty of improvement in Counties, most notably their set piece. "While we're happy with how we are going, we're conscious that we have to make sure we keep fronting up each week."
- © Fairfax NZ News
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