Rugby: Steelers hope to build on spirit of the past

By CHRIS RATTUE

It's a bit like Saturday golfers lining up against the pros.

That is how Counties-Manukau rugby coach Andrew Talaimanu sees the task facing sides such as his Steelers as they attempt to knock over the big guns of the NPC.

The Steelers have some catching-up to do - they finished second-last with a two-win, nine-loss record last season.

New head coach Talaimanu yesterday named his first squad of the season to prepare for matches against King Country, in Taumarunui on Wednesday, and Thames Valley at Pukekohe a week later.

The initial squad is missing captain Glen Marsh and Hare Makiri, who are in the New Zealand Maori squad, and national Colts forwards George Stowers and Kristian Ormsby.

Marsh and Makiri, plus Loki Crichton, George Leaupepe, Danny Lee, Joeli Vidiri, Koula Tukino and John Akurangi, are the fulltime Steelers professionals, while midfield back Tony Marsh is rumoured to be ready to return from France.

The Steelers are light on experience in the tight forwards, and an injury to prop Yonadab Urkidi has not helped.

They will go into the season without retired veteran lock Jim Coe, utility forward Api Naevo, who has gone to Japan, and prop Lee Lidgard - who can resume playing next year after a neck operation.

"We still rely heavily on the good old club player," said Talaimanu, who has taken over from Mac McCallion.

"And there's no doubt about it - we are playing against fully professional rugby sides when you talk about teams like Canterbury.

"People ask me, `How are you going to beat a team like the Crusaders, the Super 12 champions?'

"We will rely on the Counties spirit the same way we have for the past 25 years.

"That spirit is part of New Zealand rugby and sometimes I think it is something that has been lost in the professional game.

"And we'll continue to spin the ball the way Counties always have - Counties will still be taking that attitude into the new century."

To help to build on the spirit of the past, former players including Alan Dawson, Lindsay Raki, Mark Moore and Andrew Roose coached trial teams at the weekend from which the latest squad have been chosen.

The Steelers have further warm-up games against North Harbour, Northland and Bay of Plenty before the opening NPC clash against North Harbour at Albany on August 12.

Backs: Terry Meachen, Selesi Moimoi, Jona Qio, David Wood, George Leaupepe, Gus Leger, Andrew Thompson, Wyn September, Tamaha McDonald, Loki Crichton, Blair Feeney, Phil Lewis, Sean Clotworthy, Danny Lee, Joeli Vidiri.

Forwards: John Akurangi, Grant Henson, Damon Mark, Simon Fleming, Dave Stewart, Tai Vailala, Alan McLean, PJ Winchester, Kitiona Viliamu, Ramon Lindsay, Tony Dowdall, Simon McKearney, Koula Tukino, Siosi Viala, Mark Todd, Hayden Travers.