BOP star likes those easy kicks

By CHRIS RATTUE

A goalkicking tip from Daryl Halligan a couple of years ago has helped the blossoming career of Bay of Plenty first five-eighths Glen Jackson.

Jackson has been a star in the Steamers side this year, and will be a central figure tomorrow when they take on Hawkes Bay in the promotion-relegation game in Rotorua.

Halligan told Jackson that during practice he should take all his kicks from handy to the posts to boost his confidence.

After a bad goalkicking start this year, the Chiefs, New Zealand Maori and former Waikato pivot has been landing goals at 94 per cent - and the rest of his game has reaped the benefits as well.

"[Waikato's] Ian Foster told me once that he only started to play good football when he got older and I feel I'm really reading the game better these days. I'm really enjoying playing," said Jackson.

"And it always helps the rest of your game when the goalkicking is going well.

"I don't take any practice kicks from within about 15m of the touchlines - not unless there's a bit of a wager going on.

"That way you get used to seeing the ball go between the posts all the time.

"It means you always finish practice feeling confident and on a bit of a high. It's a routine I've got used to now and it's really worked for me."

Jackson re-signed with the Steamers for two seasons but said he would have to re-think his future if relegation became a reality.

That makes tomorrow's match doubly important for his rugby future, although Jackson, who turned 27 this week, says there are far greater considerations than just the current Bay of Plenty team's prospects.

"We're never going to compete with the big five the way things are at the moment. That's how it works in the NPC these days," he said.

"But I think we can give any other team a real run for their money and it's very important that we stay in the first division.

"There is always a lot of young talent in Bay of Plenty and they should get the chance to stay here and play in the first division.

"It's actually been very easy getting motivated for this game. We only won one game during the year and this is the chance to get another win.

"This is like our final really. It has been amazing how quickly we've got back into things.

"I believe we have played a lot better this year and that was going to be the hard part - shaping up and improving after our first season in the first division.

"Our attack has improved and obviously defence has been our problem, and that's the area we will really have to work on next season."

Meanwhile, Hawkes Bay have ruled out first five-eighths Tim Manawatu because of the knee injury that sidelined him from the second division final win over Counties Manukau in Napier.

Bay of Plenty: Grant McQuoid, Jason Tiatia, Alan Bunting, Dale Rasmussen, Damian Karauna, Glen Jackson, Chris LeLievre; Clayton McMillan, Rodney Voullaire, Dave Duley, Greg Rawlinson, Mark Weedon (capt), Guy Shepherdson, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison. Res: Robbie Simpkins, Taufa'ao Filise, Paul Tupai, Dave Gorrie; Rameka Poihipi, Anthony Tahana, Sam Hala.

Hawkes Bay: Jacob Kennedy, Ray Karauria, Sam Leung Wai, Davis Norman, Sefulu Gaugau, Richard Kinnear, Donovan Hall; Mutu Ngarimu (capt), Michael Johnson, Matt Mustchin, Lua Lokatui, Matt Bird, Tom Symes, Mahonri Schwalger, Peter Bielski. Res: Danny Logan, Clint Newland, Exham Wichman/Mark Atkinson, David Gower; Jason Bird, Afa Sauia, Jovesa Naivalu.