Wellington primed for big challenge

Forget about a Wellington side being overawed as they head into Canterbury's Ranfurly Shield rugby cauldron on Friday night at Jade Stadium.

Despite his side's youth in years, Wellington coach John Plumtree said his players were no novices when it came to big-game experience.

"I think these guys play big games all the time. Most of them have been involved at Super 12 level and some of them at test level," he said after training at Rugby League Park.

"This is another big game, but they are used to that even though there are a couple of young guys.

"There's one or two, like John Schwalger and Serge (Lilo), who are probably not used to this environment, but they're pretty comfortable, and I think are looking forward to the challenge."

Schwalger will be the only rookie in a Wellington starting side likely to boast 14 players with Super 12 experience, including three All Blacks, and a Maori All Black.

One of those players will be Samoan international Lome Fa'atau.

The 50-game veteran is the only member of the current side to have played in Wellington's last two shield challenges, in 2001 and 2003.

And after two failed attempts at lifting the log o'wood from Christchurch he is warning his young teammates not to let Friday's opportunity slip through their fingers.

"I remember vividly walking into the changing room in 2001. I was pretty happy with my game and having played my blazer game.

"But walking in and seeing guys like Filo (Tiatia) with his head down made me realise (how important it was).

"It was my first taste of it and I thought we'd done well apart from being robbed (by the ref).

"But it was real quiet in that changing room. There was no music, no chatting, no nothing. Everyone just went to the showers."

Like Tiatia four years ago, this could be some of the Wellington players' last chance to get their hands on New Zealand's greatest provincial prize.

Fa'atau was not expecting his third tilt at history to be any easier than the first two, especially after Waikato's near miss on Saturday.

"They (Canterbury) faced the music last week and almost lost it.

"After a wake-up call there, they will be focused on stepping up to the plate against us. No thanks to the Mooloos. I don't think they have really helped us this week."

But Fa'atau said the Lions were heading into the match full of confidence.

"I don't think we've fired on all cylinders yet. Last week was the best 60-70 minutes of the season. We are continually getting better and better and our confidence is growing."

Plumtree names his side today and the only point of contention appears to be whether he goes for Mahonri Schwalger's power or Luke Mahoney's accuracy at hooker.

The make up of the bench could also be interesting with one of Ross Kennedy or Kristian Ormsby likely to miss out due to the return of Jerry Collins at blindside.

- nzpa