Provincial grizzles over administration

By CHRIS RATTUE

Counties Manukau 24 Southland 24

Provincial discontent with the rugby hierarchy provided the backdrop to Counties Manukau and Southland's draw at Pukekohe Stadium.

In a match between two sides rated as relegation candidates, Southland could claim the moral victory playing away.

Before kickoff, Southland chief executive Roger Clark ripped into the way the game is run, highlighting the advantages the Super 12 bases have in finance and power.

Clark told a function at the stadium that while some progress had been made, pleas from smaller provinces usually fell on deaf ears.

Within the Highlanders, Otago took an enormous administration fee which helped their union run a big staff, yet smaller provinces had to operate without that advantage.

He would not even bother going to the next Highlanders board meeting as he had more fruitful work to do.

Southland roared to a 14-0 lead with the wind behind them in the first half, but were pegged back by Counties Manukau - who were often sparked by national under-19 representative Casey Laulala.

Laulala struggled at fullback in the opening round against Waikato but was far more productive at centre in yesterday's match, which finished in driving rain.

Blair Feeney, captaining the Steelers in place of the ill Danny Lee, opted to take two late shots at goal rather than go for a try when his side trailed 21-24. He landed the second one for the draw.

"They were easy decisions to make," said Feeney. "I was disappointed to see this being described as a promotion-relegation game during the week. It is only the second round and anyone can beat anyone on their day."

Southland have not won away from home in the first division for 20 years.

Captain Brendon Timmins said: "I suppose people are going to look at us as a team battling relegation but we don't talk about that."