RUGBY - Collins: Our focus is the next game

Amid all the hyperbole and drama, one man has his eye fixed firmly on the ball In the circumstances Northland rugby captain Justin Collins has had deliciously simple message for his team heading into a pivotal Air NZ Cup match against Bay of Plenty tomorrow.
The inspirational skipper has the perfect riposte to possible demotion and the prospect of a legal spat to save the union from getting the cut next year: "Mate, we have a game to play."
The match against Bay of Plenty at Okara Park is looming large amid all the hyperbole doing the rounds, but Collins reckons there at least two positives to cling to in the lead-up.
First, the prospect of a big crowd will be a welcome motivational point. Second, star players are fending off calls from rival unions until the decision on the future of Northland rugby is finalised.
"Obviously there is a large majority of the side that want to play professional rugby if they are not already. There are rumours in the background of maybe not having a team next year so that does impact on their psyche," Collins said.
"I have heard that there has been a couple of phone calls from different people. I have talked to a couple of the guys involved and they have assured me that they are not going to sign anything until the fate of Northland rugby is found out," he said.
"Guys want to stay here, but they need to be playing in the premier competition."
The main worry now is that the distraction will impact on performance. Collins is wise enough to acknowledge it is having an effect, but says the need to play well remains despite the furore.
"There's been little bits and pieces mentioned but it has not been the main focus at all. Playing is all that we can be concerned about, everything else is really out of our hands. I am a little bit concerned, every now and then there will be something said about next year, but we have steered away from that and focused on the next step which is always the next game."
Northland coach Mark Anscombe has made three changes to the team that started last week, introducing Hamish Patterson at openside flank and plonking Blair Urlich back in the No 8 jersey.
Joel McKenty missed selection after injury hampered his first starting role of the season against Otago last week.
Tyler Ashworth, the hooker from Mid Northern, gets the nod in the front row ahead of Auckland import Francis Smith.
"We have not been all that happy with the energy levels of our No7s. We need some real purpose there and after Hamish (Patterson) showed us in a 20 minute burst in pre-season he has that. Hopefully he can replicate that," Anscombe said.
"McKenty came back and had a crack last week but took a knock early. He was available but we took a punt on Hamish," he said.
The most pleasing aspect for Northland was the sight of winger Fetu Vainikolo at full stride at training. Vainikolo twinged a hamstring and was forced from the field against Otago and was under some doubt for tomorrow night's match.
Anscombe also echoed Collins saying the off field dramas were not figuring large in team preparations. But he was sure the topic is playing a role.
"There's no talk about any off field stuff in front of me but we are all well aware that there is a lot of interest in this game. We just hope we can front up and delivery something to be proud of," Anscombe said.
His only other worry was the weather.
"Over the past few seasons every time we have been set for a big crowd it has ended up pissing down [with rain]. Hopefully the weather gods give us a break."