Rugby: Chiefly, it's a grudge match

By Chris Rattue

Saturday's Ranfurly Shield clash will have elements of a grudge match as Counties Manukau set out to prove some points to their NPC first-division partners in the Chiefs.

Steelers manager Garry Carter said his union and supporters felt hard done-by in Super 12 coaching and player selections, and their tilt to win the shield from Waikato provided the perfect opportunity to make their point.

Despite a fine record in the NPC, Counties Manukau were very much the junior partners to Auckland in the Blues franchise, whose team was dominated by Auckland players.

While the Steelers have made a greater contribution to the Chiefs since the Super 12 boundaries were redrawn, they have still battled to get out of the shadows.

Carter emphasised that Counties Manukau were happy with the administrative partnership with Waikato.

"We're comfortable with it and Waikato work really hard at the partnership, but I suppose there is a feeling there that they think their players are better than our players," Carter said.

Behind the scenes was a failed bid by Counties Manukau to get their coach, Mac McCallion, the Chiefs' coaching job when they agreed to leave the Blues.

Inter-Super 12 franchise matches such as Saturday's second-round NPC game and shield challenge in Hamilton can be viewed as trials, with players' professional careers on the line.

And a look through the Chiefs' set-up reveals a strong leaning towards Waikato this year.

* There were 15 Waikato players compared to eight from Counties Manukau.

* The Chiefs' base is in Hamilton, and Rugby Park hosted four home games compared to Pukekohe Stadium's one.

* Former Counties coach Ross Cooper is in charge of the Chiefs, but current Steelers co-coach Andrew Talaimanu has been overlooked in favour of former Waikato All Black Kevin Greene as Cooper's new assistant. The Chiefs' manager, Steve Gilbert, is also from Waikato.

* Waikato prop Michael Collins captained the Chiefs.

Carter said many in his union believed the Steelers should have had greater representation in the Chiefs, and players in the squad such as Api Naevo deserved more game time.

"If you look at it this way - what say have we got in the coaching department?" Carter said. "Ross Cooper did coach Counties but maybe he needs reminding of that sometimes. I suppose he is ex-Counties now.

"They obviously think Ross is better than Mac, Kevin Greene is better than Tally [Talaimanu].

"Our blokes got blisters through spending so much time on the bench in the Super 12.

"We believe that some more of our players should have been there and maybe Saturday will justify my comments.

"This is certainly going to be a very big game for a number of reasons, and not just the shield."

Waikato held the upper hand over Counties Manukau last year, when they beat the Steelers 23-8 at Pukekohe.