BoP's Tahana catches a case of the 'Howletts'

ROTORUA - Anthony Tahana admits he's got a developing case of the Doug Howletts.

Bay of Plenty's top try scorer of 2004 is feeling a bit like the Auckland flyer as his team builds up to Saturday's rugby match against the Lions the tour opener at Rotorua International Stadium.

Howlett said earlier this week he was feeling the pressure of other wingers closing in on his All Blacks jersey this year.

Tahana feels the same, albeit the competition is gunning for his Bay of Plenty jumper with Pacific fliers Filimone Bolavucu and Teu Nafe shining out in club play this season, while Lance MacDonald and David Johnston are in the Steamers squad alongside Manu Samoa's Apoua Stewart.

Vern Cotter names his Bay of Plenty side this afternoon.

Tahana's situation is clouded slightly with the 43-game Steamer favouring an Achilles injury in the last few weeks.

"I'll be right, the adrenaline and emotion will take over but I'll put the team first," Tahana said.

Tahana has been a first choice winger for the Steamers since he moved back to the Bay in 2003 after a stint in North Harbour, where he finished his carpentry apprenticeship.

"If I can't do any of the sessions this week I'll be ruled out and I'll give someone else a shot, but I don't give my position away easily," the 1997 New Zealand Maori trialist said.

"It's good healthy competition, it's good for the Bay, you've just got to perform even at training."

Tahana fits into the thoroughly dependable category of players, a coach's dream who trains hard and plays with total commitment.

He attracted the attention of the Chiefs, joining their wider Super 12 squad this year, but was overlooked when the Hamilton-based franchise had injury problems on the flanks.

While he admits he's not the slickest mover to have set foot on a rugby field, "Ants" as he's well known, prides himself on doing the right things during a game.

"You live your life going through trying to make teams but they always go for the faster guys, but I like to think I shine out in other things off the ball," Tahana said.

He's scored 24 tries for the Bay union with seven tries last year, the most telling helping bring the Ranfurly Shield to the region for the first time as they beat Auckland 33-28.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)