New spirit in Bay after win

By CHRIS RATTUE

There has been an added bounce at the Bay of Plenty training sessions this week.

Captain Mark Weedon says the vital relegation-battle victory over Counties Manukau in Tauranga on Saturday had more pluses than minuses in the preparation for tonight's game against Northland in Rotorua.

Weedon and coach Gordon Tietjens have spoken this year about the physical effects a team such as Bay of Plenty, who are part-timers, suffer when continually facing professionals who have more training time.

And the Steamers had to use every last drop of petrol in the tank to beat Counties Manukau, after having lock Paul Tupai sent off at halftime at the Tauranga Domain.

"It becomes pretty draining at training when you suffer all those losses in a row," Weedon said.

"And being a team of part-timers, it's a lot harder to put all the work in at the gym and things like that.

"But there was a lot more bounce and energy at training this week.

"A win does wonders for your confidence.

"It was getting hard for the guys to pick themselves up every week.

"There's been a different atmosphere at training over the past few days."

Bay of Plenty are still in the relegation zone so face another game of desperation, and any side who line up against Northland face an obvious threat - wings Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Fero Lasagavibau.

Caucaunibuca, in particular, is a brilliant matchwinner and Weedon said a key objective would be to deny him the ball tonight at the International Stadium.

Bay of Plenty have been hit by defections. Lock Paul Tupai's season is over after receiving a three-match suspension for decking Counties Manukau back Gus Leger with a high tackle.

Wing Sam Hala is sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Ponsonby centre Dale Rasmussen, who has just been selected in the Samoan team, is out with a bruised thigh which forced him to spend three days at Middlemore Hospital.

The 24-year-old Rasmussen, a fourth-year law student, said yesterday that he was unlikely to join the Samoan tour to Ireland and Italy next month because it would interfere with his exams.

The loss of Rasmussen has seen Tietjens move Damian Karauna from fullback to the centres.

* Waikato are still unsure if captain and No 8 Deon Muir will make his comeback from a rib injury against Canterbury in the Ranfurly Shield challenge tomorrow.

Coach Kiwi Searancke has left the final call to Muir.