Cooper's crystal ball predicted NPC success

By CHRIS RATTUE

Record-scoring Waikato back Matthew Cooper had a good feeling about his province's prospects even before a ball was kicked in the NPC this season.

And it's been a case of so far, so good, although Cooper said the possible loss of prop Deacon Manu to Auckland was one black spot on the horizon.

Waikato sit at the head of the NPC, and are fully expected to notch their seventh win out of eight games when they play Northland in Hamilton this evening.

With their final encounter being against Bay of Plenty, they are hot favourites to go into the playoffs with the all-important home advantage. The Mooloo mob can then really start to think about winning their second first-division title, a decade after their first.

It has been a dramatic turnaround from the past two seasons, when they finished seventh and fifth. So impressive have Waikato been, that this NPC championship is no longer seen as a Canterbury gimme.

Former All Black-turned-commentator Cooper, who has played his part by guiding stand-in goalkicker Bruce Reihana, said he had a good feeling from the beginning after talking to coaches Ian Foster and Farrell Temata, and managers Glenn Ross and Duane Monkley.

"I felt that ... they had some very interesting planning in place" he said.

"They were a bit unique, like the idea to hold back on the number of pre-season games. There was a real method to everything they were doing.

"They left no stone unturned ... having a guy like Duane Monkley there covered the traditions of Waikato rugby.

"They've done other things, like bring in Brian Clarke, one of the famous Clarke brothers, as a sort of father figure, a mentor for the players.

"There has also been great attention to detail, a la Daniel Anderson at the Warriors, under the tutelage of Ian Foster and Farrell Temata.

"What people should know is that there has been a lot more work behind the scenes than they might imagine.

"Waikato rugby has always been strong and on paper they have a very good side at the moment, but they've made sure that a lot of little things have been done right.

"And one thing I would say is that when Auckland were strong in the early 1990s, the one team that used to knock them over was Waikato.

"And in the late 90s, the one team that could go down to Canterbury and knock them over was Waikato.

"In that marvellous match in Hamilton this season, Waikato really got into Canterbury physically but there were a lot of innovative and intricate things going on as a result of all their planning which helped get momentum in the game.

"Waikato are going to be very hard to beat, especially if they are playing in Hamilton."

Cooper said that Foster was too shrewd to let the departure of Bruce Reihana and the possible loss of Deon Muir derail his planning - there was always new talent around. Steven Bates was an outstanding recruit as a No 8 replacement for Muir, and also had leadership potential.

But he said Waikato could ill-afford to lose 23-year-old prop Deacon Manu at such a young age.

The parties involved have been silent, but Auckland officials claim privately they have Manu signed, while those around the Waikato camp whisper that the deal might not be watertight. Manu's representative refused to comment yesterday.

It appears a surprising move for Manu, given Waikato's rise and his place as the number one prop in the Chiefs' region. However, it is believed that Manu, who has a marine biology degree, wants a shift to Auckland for career reasons.

Manu will be on the bench today in an altered lineup that should not be troubled by Northland. The Northerners finished strongly last week against Bay of Plenty to secure their first points of the season, but only after a first half in keeping with their disappointing season.

They will look to Blues forward Vula Maimuri to lead the way up front, and two other Fijians - wings Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Fero Lasagavibau - to find the points. But again, they look in danger of being outclassed.

Waikato: Loki Crichton, Roger Randle, Keith Lowen, Mark Ranby, Bruce Reihana, David Hill, Rhys Duggan, Deon Muir (capt), Scott Couch, Steven Bates, Royce Willis, Keith Robinson, Tony Philp, Scott Linklater, David Briggs. Reserves: Guy Coleman, Deacon Manu, Sean Hohneck, Marty Holah; Duncan Jamieson, Derek Maisey, Regan King.

Northland: Rhyan Caine, Fero Lasagavibau, Jason Hita, Jason Shoemark, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Hayden Taylor (capt), Lee Peina; Brett Waaka, Aaron Wright, Brent Dale, Brad Taylor, Vula Maimuri, Tim Knight, Derren Witcombe, Mike Storey. Reserves: Jason Hammond, Bronson Murray, Nisi Naufahu, Tim Henwood; Sam Pinder, Regan Finch, Robbie Johnson.

Referee: Paddy O'Brien (Southland).

Kickoff: 5.35pm.