Rugby: Steelers happy to take underdogs tag against Canterbury

Dominic Bird. Photo / Getty Images

The Counties Manukau Steelers are still searching for their attacking mojo but know they will get few favours from defending ITM Cup Premiership champions and 2014 frontrunners Canterbury when they clash in Pukekohe tomorrow night.

Canterbury will not have Ryan Crotty or Dan Carter, but may include lock Dominic Bird as they seek to go 6-0 in what has been a very impressive campaign to date.

The Steelers have had a disrupted week since falling 26-21 to Waikato. Lock Jimmy Tupou has been suspended for a week for striking Damian McKenzie in that game, while Sherwin Stowers has been away at a national sevens camp.

Steelers coach Tana Umaga is happy to take the underdogs' tag.

In theory, there should be less pressure with no Ranfurly Shield to play for, although a defeat may deal a terminal blow to their Premiership semifinal hopes.

"It's pretty hard for any team to think they've got the wood on Canterbury or could take the favourites' tag. They have proven that for six years.

"But, to be honest, we've got issues with our own game and trying to get that right. Players' form is a big issue for us, and it's not through lack of effort," said Umaga.

A swift glance at their scores reveals they are not far away, as they have not suffered any blowouts, even though they're on a three-match losing streak.

Of more concern is the fact that they have scored just 10 tries in five games. Only North Harbour (with nine) have scored less.

Much of the lack of consistency and flow on attack stems from a misfiring lineout, with the Steelers having the lowest success rate in the ITM Cup.

Umaga is hoping his young team can take a leaf out of the Canterbury playbook and stick to their structures, avoiding panic under pressure. He said some players were finding that dominance at club level did not always translate into ITM Cup success.

"It's about focusing on doing their job right. It's the quicksand analogy: the harder you try, the more you wriggle, the deeper you get."

He opted to bring halfback Augustine Pulu off the bench against Waikato, partly to sharpen him up after some niggles from Super Rugby. Stung to the quick, Pulu responded with two tries.

Umaga said he wouldn't be straight on the blower to Sonny Bill Williams if the Roosters were knocked out of the NRL playoffs this weekend.

"Sonny's already going on the end-of-year tour, so he's got nothing to worry about."

If he were to return for the tail-end of the Steelers' season, that would be a bonus.

The Steelers squad for the 7.35pm kickoff tomorrow will be named today.