Rugby: Bottom pair now desperate to win

Otago v Counties Manukau

Otago are putting the past behind them and are looking to the future as they prepare to play Counties Manukau at Carisbrook today.

Both teams have started their campaigns with three losses but Otago, almost back to full-strength with their All Blacks back, are expected to win.

"We know it's been a messy start to the season and, in some respects, you could say our season starts tomorrow," Otago captain Kelvin Middleton said last night.

"We know, if we are to make the semis, that we have to start winning and keep winning.

"Teams are probably looking at us now as being vulnerable, so we have to get tight as a team and look forward to each match."

Middleton said the past week had been more organised with the All Blacks now integrated into the team.

However, both Middleton and assistant coach Phil Young expressed their respect for Counties.

"They are very useful. There's a lot of brilliance in the team and, if the game loosens up, we'll make it very difficult for ourselves," Middleton said.

The surface will be soft and slippery after rain for nearly 10 days.

"We're putting everything else behind us," Young said. "We've just got to win this one."

Former All Black Joeli Vidiri will have his first NPC start of the season in one of four changes to the Counties side who lost to Canterbury last week.

Vidiri will play on the right wing, with Selesi Moimoi moving from the wing to centre to replace the suspended George Leaupepe.

Other changes are the inclusion of Tamaha McDonald at second five-eighths for Peter Epati (shoulder injury), Phil Lewis at first five-eighths for Blair Feeney (strained hamstring) and the replacement of Alan McLean at loosehead prop by Dave Stewart.

"We're here to more than make up the numbers," Counties' coach Andrew Talaimanu said.

"Otago will go in as strong favourites but we've come down here to get in their way.

"It's a privilege to play at Carisbrook and we want to make the most of it."

Otago and Counties have played 26 times, each team winning 13.

- NZPA