KEY POINTS:
While their giant-killing reputation is gaining traction, Hawkes Bay would also like their provincial resurgence to be associated with another important sporting quality - consistency.
The Magpies may be flying high during the early stages of the Air NZ Cup but with powerhouses Auckland and Canterbury looming on the horizon, the competition's current fairytale team realise a win at Counties Manukau tonight is imperative.
The fifth-round appointment was underlined as a potential win when Hawkes Bay eyed their schedule and given their startling start to the season four, if not five, points are mandatory at Mt Smart Stadium if they are to continue their push for a quarter-final berth.
Captain Danny Lee admitted more pressure was being applied to his side given their heroics against Wellington and another fine home win against North Harbour last Friday.
And while the team seemed to be revelling in their underdog status against the so-called big guns, it is the performance against smaller unions that is likely to have a bigger bearing on their campaign from now on.
Lee acknowledged his team were brought down to earth in Blenheim after their watershed win over Wellington and was mindful Counties Manukau could be another banana skin, given their improving form from last season.
"After Wellington, we went down to Tasman and let ourselves down," he said.
"We weren't up to scratch and they set upon us from the word go.
"We're back in the same predicament this week. We've had a good win but now we have to back it up. That's our goal, to be consistent."
While confidence is a burgeoning commodity within the squad, a loss tomorrow night could prove a serious setback considering Hawkes Bay face the unbeaten Auckland and Canterbury in successive rounds.
"When you win a couple of games confidence naturally builds but when you look at the schedule it's a pretty tough run over the next couple of weeks."
Hawkes Bay played the Steelers twice last year, breaking their duck with a 51-29 victory in round three before surviving a 30-29 nailbiter in the old repechage format.
Lee, who spent four seasons with the south Auckland province between 1998 and 2001, predicted a scoreline closer to their latest meeting after noting the Steelers were another reborn province on a gradual upswing.
Saddled with, arguably, the toughest opening assignments of the competition, the Steelers have had to front up against Auckland, Canterbury, North Harbour and Waikato - with their only reward a draw against the Ranfurly Shield holders.
However, despite their scant returns the Steelers had generally been competitive until the final quarter.
"They've played some really good teams and hung in there through to the last 15 minutes," Lee said.
"They've got a forward pack that like to run the ball and some sharp, quick backs," he said, highlighting elusive wing Leila Masaga as a potential threat.
Counties Manukau have named an unchanged team from the side beaten 30-8 by Waikato last weekend.
There is only one change on the bench with Daniel Crichton replacing loose forward cover Sione Kepu.
Mt Smart Stadium, 7.05 tonight
COUNTIES MANUKAU
15. Nigel Watson
14. Lelia Masaga
13. Niva Taauso
12. Male Sau
11. Siale Piutau
10. Tanner Vili
9. Kane Hancy
8. Taiasina Tuifua
7. James Maher
6. Kristian Ormsby
5. A. Van der Heijden
4. Dave Duley
3. Poaloi Taula
2. Grant Henson
1. Cole Mooney
Reserves: John Fonokalafi, Fritz Lee, Daniel Crichton, Chad Tuoro, Troy Nathan, Lance Easton.
HAWKES BAY
15. Ben Batger
14. Justin Wilson
13. Jason Shoemark
12. Sam Giddens
11. Zac Guildford
10. Matt Berquist
9. Danny Lee (c)
8. Grant Webb
7. Karl Lowe
6. Michael Johnson
5. Will Crutchley
4. Matt Egan
3. Tom Symes
2. Hikawera Elliot
1. F. Taumalolo
Reserves: Jamie Muir, Arden David, Lua Lokotui, George Naoupo, Chris Eaton, Aayden Clarke, Israel Dagg.
- NZPA
