Steelers underdogs in local derby

By CHRIS RATTUE

The local derby factor looms large in tomorrow's NPC clash between Counties-Manukau and Waikato.

Waikato are overwhelming favourites at their temporary cricket ground home in Hamilton but Mooloo coach Kiwi Searancke has already pointed out the Steelers' good record against his side.

The classic example came in the 1997 semifinal at Rugby Park, where Joeli Vidiri inspired an extraordinary comeback win for the Steelers just after the ground announcer told Waikato fans how to get grand final tickets.

While accepting the underdog tag, Counties-Manukau coach Andrew Talaimanu said his side had won six of their last eight matches against Waikato.

That included their one NPC victory last year, which started a four-game Waikato slide that saw Mooloo miss the semifinals and lose the Ranfurly Shield.

Steelers captain Danny Lee, who faces Chiefs rival Rhys Duggan, said: "Our priority is NPC points but there are places in the Chiefs to be won.

"Being near neighbours and Chiefs partners makes for a pretty good contest.

"A lot of players are friends amongst the teams but, as they say, when the whistle goes it's everyone for themselves.

"No one is picking us this year and from how we've played for the past couple of years, we deserve to be where people put us.

"With Counties' finances we struggle to retain players and to get others in, but we have to get stuck in and prove the critics wrong."

There is some good news for the Steelers. Samoan test prop Polo Asi has finally agreed to sign and will be available to play Southland at Pukekohe in the next round. And dynamic loose forward Koula Tukino has shrugged off a chest injury and should play tomorrow.

Both the Steelers props, Ted Carew and Darren Butcher, will get their first NPC starts tomorrow, meaning that Waikato will have a big advantage up front.

Waikato have this year's Chiefs star Deacon Manu and David Briggs, who missed the Super 12 through injury - leaving another Super 12 player Dennis Hazelton on the bench.

With Mark Cooksley in the All Blacks and Royce Willis on the bench after a groin operation, 28-year-old Glen Remnant will make his Waikato NPC debut at lock.

Remnant, who prefers loose forward, plays club rugby in Hamilton but has accumulated 65 games for Bay of Plenty.

Mark Ranby is out injured, fullback Todd Miller does not play on Sundays and loose forward Jonno Gibbes is being given maximum time to recover from an ankle problem.