Rugby: Counties' skipper grumpy over ball security

By Chris Rattue

Counties Manukau captain Glen Marsh has pinpointed a lack of ball security as the major problem in a disappointing season for the Steelers.

After consistently challenging for titles in recent years, the Steelers have slipped to a 1-5 record and are out of semifinal contention with three rounds remaining.

Their fortunes have dropped to the point where Northland are rated favourites at Pukekohe Stadium today for a match where Marsh is hoping his side can start to build some respect.

Marsh said the loss of experienced players like Errol Brain, Tony Marsh, Lee Lidgard and Andrew Roose, plus the World Cup call-ups for others such as George Leaupepe and Api Naevo, had exposed a lack of depth in the union's ranks.

"It's been pretty disappointing - a really tough season," said Marsh.

"We haven't applied ourselves as well as we might and a few guys who've come up may not have made the most of their opportunities, but they are still young and inexperienced.

"Our ball retention has been absolutely shocking. At the end of the day the guys who take the ball up must make sure it comes back, and there are other aspects like the work of the support players. Maybe it is just a concentration thing but we just haven't done it well.

"We've got some talented young players like George Stowers coming through but they need more experience. Hopefully with this year under the belt, and when we get people like George and Api back next year, we can improve."

Marsh said there had been a call this week to tighten the discipline after a fairly unfriendly match against Taranaki which resulted in forwards Stowers - who was sent off - and Koula Tukino, along with Taranaki's Darryl Fale and Brendon Haami, being suspend-ed.

"Maybe our guys were a bit ill-disciplined but it is not a game you lie down in," said Marsh.

"Taranaki play it pretty physical and that's fine. Maybe with both teams only having one win the players felt a bit of pressure. I thought the referee could have been a bit more consistent. I don't know how they missed seeing that punch [from Fale, on Tukino].

"But getting sinbinned or sent off doesn't help your team. Koula and George are both pretty young and they've got to realise everything is on television and you can't get away with things like that. It was just the way the game went, and that's life."

Marsh said the Steelers' final three matches, including finals contenders North Harbour and Auckland - represented a chance to restore credibility and some confidence.

"That's very important. It is vital that we earn back some respect amongst ourselves and our supporters."

Northland will arrive at Pukekohe with one of the best scrums in the NPC.

Coach Bryce Woodward said he had learnt a lot about the mechanics of the scrum from All Black prop Con Barrell, who he had coached in club rugby.

Woodward's desire to have a powerful scrum saw him recall the 31-year-old lock Geoff Crawford, a noted scrummager, to partner captain Glenn Taylor in the middle row.

"It's no good having a couple of stringy locks if you want a powerful scrum, and that's what I wanted," said Woodward, who took over from Wayne Pivac this year.

"You've got to have plenty of power behind the front row."