Lesson from loss says Counties Manukau coach

By LINDSAY KNIGHT

Conceding a century of points in one match, as Counties Manukau did in last weekend's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland, is generally the worst possible preparation for any rugby side.

But Counties are hoping that ultimate negative experience will have some positive spinoffs when they start their National Provincial Championship second-division campaign against Manawatu in Pukekohe today.

Co-coach Gary Millington said yesterday that reports this week from Palmerston North suggested that the Manawatu side were banking on Counties' still being demoralised.

But Millington was optimistic that this would be far from the case, and said his players appeared to have bounced back well.

Playing against Auckland at that sort of high level was an invaluable learning curve for the side, Millington said.

"And the feedback from our players has been that they got so much out of that game. Certainly we've trained very well this week."

Despite the thrashing, Millington and his coaching partner, Mark Carter, have made only minimal changes to their lineup with Troy Nathan starting at first five-eighths instead of Gavin Donald and Taiasina Tuifoa at openside flank ahead of Rhys Cullinane.

But one casualty from the shield game has been experienced hooker Grant Henson, who broke a leg and is expected to be out for the rest of the season. Mark Price, his understudy from last season, will take his place.

Manawatu were also in action at Eden Park last weekend, losing narrowly to the Auckland second XV in the curtainraiser.

Manawatu's new coach, Peter Kemp, took the chance to scout Counties and says he was impressed by the size of the Counties pack which contains Fiji internationals in Sisa Koyamaibole and Api Naevo.

The Counties-Manawatu match provides the main focus in the second-division opening round, with favourites Hawkes Bay, the division champions in each of the past three seasons, having the bye.

Although it comes in the competition's early stages, the result of this match should go some way to eventually determining places in the semifinals.

* Counties Manukau vs Manawatu, Pukekohe, 2.30pm today