BoP players rally to the cause

By CHRIS RATTUE


Rugby's band of brothers will live to fight another day.

Bay of Plenty have continued to win battles off the field even if pundits expect them to fall in tonight's semifinal against Canterbury in Christchurch.

On the eve of their debut in the NPC first division semifinals, the Steamers have been fending off raids and securing key players.

Prop Simms Davison, formerly a target of Auckland, has signed a one-year contract.

Midfield backs Rua Tipoki and Grant McQuoid, who were hunted by Otago, have indicated they will stay. McQuoid's manager told the Bay he will re-sign, and Tipoki - who is on loan from Waikato - says he will remain in the Chiefs' region.

Adrian Cashmore, the subject of a casual inquiry by his old Japanese club comrade Allan Pollock from North Harbour, will also stay.

So Bay of Plenty have won a few battles, but on paper at least they look set to come under major fire tonight.

Canterbury have set piece authority, dead-eye goal and tactical kickers aplenty, expertise at the breakdown with Richie McCaw in the lead, a backline oozing experience, and just for good measure let's mention McCaw again.

The Canterbury captain is the pre-eminent footballer in the country, and gives his side an enormous edge in every NPC game he plays. In experience, a vital ingredient in pressure cooker situations, the red and blacks have no peers especially with Andrew Mehrtens running the show.

Canterbury will also be on red alert after Bay of Plenty's cheeky bid to have the Ranfurly Shield at stake.

Canterbury captain McCaw would not be drawn into a reaction, saying: "That's happened, has it? It's a bit out of my hands ... But I would have thought it doesn't get much bigger than playing an NPC semifinal."

A muted response maybe, but Bay of Plenty's bid will have been noted. While Bay officials and sponsors were on the public prowl, coach Vern Cotter was deferential yesterday.

"Canterbury are one of those sides where it is very difficult to find a weakness," he said.

"And I fully expect them to lift their performance further. They are full of players who know all about playing these types of games.

"It will be the biggest game of their lives for many of our players. For us, it will start with getting our set pieces right. It's all about possession.

"But that's difficult in itself because Canterbury have a solid scrum and very good lineout, especially with Chris Jack."

Where can Bay of Plenty find hope? They need to spike Canterbury's guns and confidence early on, maybe through a try or by frustrating their attacks. They will have to grab just about every chance that comes their way.

A southerly, which brings rain, is predicted that might help the Bay fight the game in the trenches even though it would hardly be familiar weather for a team based in Mt Maunganui.

The Bay could do worse than aim plenty of defence at Casey Laulala, ironically one of only two non-test Canterbury starters. Laulala represents a lot of the side's line breaking firepower.

On recent evidence, the Bay should also closely guard rampaging Canterbury hooker Corey Flynn.

Bay of Plenty will also hope that Cashmore, their only All Black, shakes off a back problem. If not, Apoua Stewart will play fullback, with Charles Baxter at wing and veteran Damon Kaui joining the reserves.

Bay of Plenty have remarkable spirit, resilience and well honed systems. They will take on the Canterbury forwards which should draw McCaw and his fellow loosies into tight battles, at least early on.

But the Steamers, who are not prolific tryscorers, need a big upset to make the final.

* Canterbury announced that semifinal reserve Marika Vunibaka, a 17-test Fijian wing, has signed for a Japanese club.


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