Swords facing a whale of a task

New Zealand Rugby League's national competition does not get any easier for the Northern Swords Premiers, who face the Wellington Orcas tomorrow at Porirua Stadium.
The Northern Swords head into tomorrow's game on the back of a huge 86-10 loss during their debut game in round two of the competition (they had a bye in round one) against Counties Manukau at Kaikohe last weekend.
Coach Revell Neal said his side is expecting another tough encounter against the Orcas, who beat heavyweights Auckland at home 24-18 in the second round.
"To beat Auckland at Auckland is pretty tough and Auckland didn't score a point in the second half. Wellington's defence is good and most importantly they are a fit side - on par with Counties. Between the four teams - Auckland, South Island, Counties and Wellington - there isn't much of a difference," Neal said.
The Swords' lack of fitness came to the fore last weekend, and was addressed at training. "We are not even in the ball park with the other sides. We had a pretty rugged training session on Tuesday but the boys handled it well. The boys were alarmed at how unfit they were compared to Counties, considering they had played a whole season of club footy.
"We sat down and had an honest talk and we know what we have to do to be competitive ... it won't be this year as it is such a short campaign, but next year we will be up there."
In the meantime, the goal is to improve every week during the seven-round competition.
More disturbing than the big score margin last weekend, was hearing some comments from the sideline that the wrong players from the zone had been picked. "The boys there are the ones that showed up at every training session ... the ones who people are saying should be in the team didn't front up, which is why they weren't selected."
However, despite the occasional negative bystander and last weekend's loss the team has come together this week at training in good spirits, willing to give 100 per cent against Wellington.
Neal has made a lot of changes to the premiers' line up, wanting to try different combinations. "No one has been dropped as such, we are just trying out the wider squad to get good, working combinations - it will probably take at least three games to find them - plus we have a few players out injured," he said.
Second rowers Tumai Kepa (bruised rib) and Wiki Record (displaced hip), along with full back Jordan Rau (bruised sternum) and Tieinu Henare-Rainsfield (shoulder) are sidelined with injuries, meaning several players will get their first start tomorrow, including Inoke Taufa (right wing), halfback Herewini Edmonds, hooker Hunuia Kingi, second rower Iki Payne, with Jordan Katene and Josiah Neho on the interchange bench.
William Waa will start at fullback, Isaia Turvua on the left wing, Logan Pocklington at prop and William Wiki at lock forward.
The 15s and 17s also play Wellington at Porirua Stadium tomorrow (Sunday),also after heavy losses. Coach of the 17s Herman David said his side was brought back down to earth after their 98-0 thrashing last Sunday by Counties Manukau. The Northern Swords 15s lost 30-4 last Sunday.