Counties' big playmaker earns respect

Ross Soper has got a healthy respect for the man he will be marking in Nelson Bays' second division home semifinal tomorrow.

In fact, that deference pretty much extends to the entire Counties Manukau team, despite Nelson Bays' tight 36-34 win over the same side at the same venue this season.

In New Zealand Colts' first five-eighths Stephen Donald, Counties Manukau have a playmaker of genuine quality and the man most likely to confound Nelson Bays' hopes of reaching the final.

"He's a big boy for a first-five," Soper said.

"He's big and strong and he likes running with the ball."

It's not that Soper will spend every waking moment sweating on how to stop the talented Donald.

He has had enough on his mind since a wrist injury to Mark Milne against East Coast four weeks ago thrust Soper, 24, directly into the spotlight.

He has been given the responsibility of calling the shots for Nelson Bays as they attempt to qualify for their third second division final in five years, and tomorrow beckons as Soper's ultimate test.

While not about to reveal Nelson Bays' game plan, Soper believes the squad have developed significantly since their previous game against Counties Manukau.

"We've improved so much in the last four or five weeks since that game - except for the clash with Hawkes Bay. We've conceded only one try in the last three games and that was just a chargedown.

"So we're priding ourselves on our defence now and we're enjoying our attack."

Counties Manukau are well equipped to test Nelson Bays' defensive qualities.

While fullback Sailosi Tagicakibau has since joined Samoa at the World Cup and centre Niva Ta'auso was injured last week against East Coast, there is still enough attacking potency within their ranks to cause Nelson Bays some real concern.

Wing Sitiveni Sivivatu remains one of the most lethal finishers in the competition and No 8 Waka Setitala offers a powerful presence.

* Hawkes Bay coach Kieran Keane has made two predictable changes to his starting XV for the semifinal against North Otago in Napier today.

Captain and halfback Donovan Hall replaces Chad Shepherd and New Zealand sevens player Tafai Ioasa takes over from Nui Bartlett at openside flanker.

Bartlett was one of four players who scored hat-tricks in last weekend's 99-8 win against Mid-Canterbury, and he has been bracketed with former New Zealand Colts lock Mark Atkinson for one of the reserve forward positions.

Keane said the bracketing of Atkinson and Bartlett was weather-related and a decision would be made this morning. With a sunny day forecast Bartlett is expected to get the No 18 jersey.

Keane said there were no injury worries among his squad of 22 and his biggest worry on the eve of the team's fourth consecutive semifinal on McLean Park is how his team will cope with the 12.35pm start time.

The match was brought forward to meet television schedules.

"We're a bit disappointed that we have to start that early ... it will affect the players and coaches more than anybody else," Keane said.

North Otago coach Glenn Moore has retained the same starting XV who played in last weekend's 30-10 loss to Nelson Bays in Nelson.

It is also the same starting XV who took the field in North Otago's 28-25 loss to Hawkes Bay three weeks ago.

- NZPA

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