Rugby: Steelers tyros fancy their chances

Captain Tasesa Lavea is confident the Steelers can match Northland tonight. Photo / Getty Images

The howls of laughter from the back of the bus told their own story yesterday as Counties-Manukau headed north for tonight's clash with Northland.

They sit bottom of the Air New Zealand Cup, but there's nothing wrong with the spirit among a young squad, who have had a solitary win over Taranaki to offset five defeats.

"It's been one of the positives," captain Tasesa Lavea said yesterday.

"We've been going through a rough patch but we make sure we still work hard at training, still trying to improve and get results.

"I can't question the guys' determination to try and turn things round. It's just not happening on the field at the moment."

Lavea, 28, has been round the game a while now. A former Blues and Chiefs Super rugby five-eighths, he is steering an inexperienced side who have conceded 232 points in their six games, 86 more than the next most porous defence, that of Waikato.

With four teams due to be chopped from the 14-team championship next year, it would be easy for heads to drop and a team to go through the motions.

Had they won their opening round game, somehow contriving to turn a 24-14 halftime lead at Manawatu into a five-point loss, things might have been different, but their only win has been over Taranaki, 33-21, in round four.

Given their inexperience, Counties-Manukau's tyros will be up against it when they face Canterbury, Auckland and Otago in the weeks to come.

But Northland tonight is a different story. They have had their moments this season and have played some good rugby, and yet Counties-Manukau fancy their chances.

Lavea talked of a need for realism among his squad. Some games present better opportunities for success.

"In saying that, we go into every game with the same focus, that we want to win. It's about building on performances.

"We've done our analysis on Northland and we're coming up pretty confident. We've got some great athletes in this team; we just need to come together collectively with a real good team performance."

Lavea has concerns over what being dumped out of the cup after this season will mean for the region. He described South Auckland as "a goldmine of talent" and hopes the union will be able to foster the secondary school and under-20 players. Providing career possibilities for the young players was paramount, he said.

Taranaki host Wellington in tonight's other match.

Whangarei, 7.35 tonight

NORTHLAND
Jared Payne (c)
Simon Munro
Damian Fakafanua
Derek Carpenter
Rene Ranger
Lachie Munro
Rhyan Caine
Cameron Eyre
Joel McKenty
Roy Griffin
Cam Jowitt
Daniel Goodwin
Karl Haitana
Mikaele Tuu'u
Bronson Murray

COUNTIES-MANUKAU
Ahsee Tuala
Lelia Masaga
S. Tagicakibau
Dean Cummins
Sherwin Stowers
Tasesa Lavea (c)
Notise Tauafao
Viliami Fihaki
Mark Selwyn
DJ Forbes
Rees Logan
Alepini Olosoni
Simon Lemalu
Matt Holloway
Graham Dewes

Northland: Tim Dow, Matt Wallis, Michael Farmer, Matt Clutterbuck/Eroni Gadolo, Luke Hamilton, David Holwell, Jon Elrick

Counties-Manukau: Ilaisa Maasi, Po'aloi Taula, Jamie Chipman, Ryota Asano, August Pulu, Tim Nanai-Williams, David Raikuna.