Rugby: Ranfurly Shield takes wings

By Richard Boock

Bruce Reihana expects the battle of the wide-boys to play a key role in today's Ranfurly Shield rugby showdown between defenders Waikato and challengers Counties Manukau.

Notwithstanding what happens between the respective forward packs, 23-year-old Waikato flyer Reihana believes the action on the backline flanks may have just as much influence on the fate of the shield, and accordingly is preparing himself for a hectic day at the office.

Reihana has been listed to play on the left wing, where he will square off against 1998 All Black Joeli Vidiri, while his team-mate Roger Randle has the small task of marking blockbusting threequarter Jonah Lomu.

Given Vidiri's exasperation at an average season to date and Lomu's eagerness to regain his All Black starting berth, the Waikato pair are expecting a searching examination at Hamilton's Rugby Park, particularly on defence.

"There are some top wingers in this game," said Reihana, "and in the end our defensive effort will be just as vital as our attack, perhaps even more so given the quality of our opponents."

However, despite the threat of the two Js, Reihana said Waikato were not about to invent any complicated strategies to contain them, and would instead put their faith in basic, fundamental defensive principles.

The first of these involved trying to deny the Counties outside backs clean, running possession, and the bottom line was to cramp the most dangerous runners for time and room. "Once you give them some room they get those big wheels turning and all of a sudden your job becomes much, much harder," said Reihana. "Our responsibility is to stop them getting up that sort of momentum.

"When all's said and done, it has quite a bit to do with the back three as a combination - rather than as individuals - and Roger [Randle], Todd [Miller] and myself have been working hard on that aspect.

"We've placed a lot of emphasis on running the right lines and helping each other out, on covering and making ourselves available, and whether it's wet or fine, the combination as a whole is what will count. More than any one player."

Reihana, probably a stronger defender than Randle, said there had been no suggestion that he might switch to the right wing to mark Lomu, and added that there was probably not much point, anyway. "Both Jonah and Joeli are big, fast and powerful runners and I'm sure I'd have my hands full whoever I was marking."

He said Waikato respected the capabilities of their Super 12 partners and expected the proverbial kitchen sink to be thrown at them by Counties, who have never before won the log o' wood - despite two draws. They drew 20-20 with Waikato in 1981 and drew an epic challenge against Canterbury the following year, contributing to a maddening sequence of 18 challenges without success.

Reihana said Waikato had not become preoccupied with analysing Counties' game-plan, and instead were concentrating on their own strengths and weaknesses, and how best to make full use of their resources.

And in the back of his mind, Reihana is also aware that a strong performance could enhance his reputation as a possible utility option for the World Cup, having previously made a decent fist of both fullback and first five-eighths.

"It doesn't distract me, it spurs me on actually", Reihana said of the recent speculation. "There's a chance, however slight, and it's one I'd obviously like to grab.

"Having said that, though, the best way for me to impress is on a game-by-game basis. Every time I run out on the park, I simply try and play as well as I can."