Auckland clear favourite for women's title

By JULIE ASH

The national provincial women's competition kicks off this weekend and once again Auckland look to be the team to beat.

Auckland have won every NPC title since the competition began in 1999, but with Black Fern coach Darryl Suasua on the lookout for players to defend New Zealand's world title in Spain next year, Auckland may be in for some tough competition.

With at least 10 past or present Black Ferns to chose from, the Auckland Storm go into the competition as favourites, something new coach Davida White and her players are familiar with.

"We have always been tagged as the favourites as long as I have played for Auckland. We have always been the most disliked team too," she said.

"I'd say the blue-and-white jersey carries that stigma - everyone likes to knock us off."

White has taken over as coach from Mark Day, who retired last year after a six-year undefeated streak. White captained New Zealand against Spain in the 1998 World Cup and also captained Auckland to NPC victories in 1999 and 2000.

Joining her in coaching is Mike Edwards, who has been in charge of the champion Marist club for the past five years, and Mike Casey, who was assistant coach of the Black Ferns throughout the World Cup.

The job is White's first major coaching role apart from a stint with Marist and the Auckland Girls' Grammar First XV.

"It has been challenging but it is not too bad. I still have a lot to learn but I have had some great help from Mike Casey and Mike Edwards."

Twenty teams will compete in this year's revamped competition. Joining Auckland in the first division are Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago.

The second division is divided into three regions: northern, central and southern. Northland, North Harbour, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty B and Auckland B make up the northern region.

Wanganui-Taranaki, Hawkes Bay and Manawatu form the central region and Southland, Otago B, Nelson Bays, Canterbury B, Hanan Shield (Timaru) and Marlborough will battle it out in the southern region.

"The teams change from year to year so it is really hard to say who will be good. Otago have a lot of students so they are always changing, Waikato have come along and Wellington have always been a thorn in our side," White said.

The Auckland team have also had to make a few changes with the retirement of White, Fiona Richards and Dianne Kahura.

"The changes haven't been dramatic as such. We just have to make sure the new ones fit into our style of play.

"We want to play a multi-phase, expansive game." she said.

Auckland tackle Waikato at College Rifles in their opening game tomorrow.

"With Black Fern Vanessa Cootes, Waikato have a ton of pace. Give her a bit of space and you can say c'est la vie. Black Ferns prop Regina Sheck is also in there and they have got a good first-five in Emma Jensen.

"If we play right and keep the ball away from Vanessa then we should go all right."

Although Auckland are laden with Black Ferns, White said selecting the side was not plain sailing.

"The club competition was quite poor. It seems to have dropped this year. Players were just making silly mistakes, which made our job harder.

"We knew what players we wanted but there is a lack of wingers and front rowers."

And while the black jersey might be enticing some players, White said the immediate focus for her players is the NPC.

"It is one step at a time, the last thing they are thinking about going into a game is whether they are going to get a black jersey.

"We have always been told by coaches that it is a bonus to be selected as a Black Fern. It means you have played well at club and provincial level."

A summer training squad of more than 60 players will be named after the NPC but Suasua said he would not necessarily be picking on form but more on potential.

"There is a lot of time between the end of the NPC and the World Cup in May," he said. "We want to find as much depth in as many positions as we can. We want to get three people that can play test rugby in each position."