Rugby: Concentration crucial to Brett's season

Stephen Brett has been working hard. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Playmaker Stephen Brett is carrying a sensible mantra into his second season with the Blues.

He might be in a group pushing to back up Daniel Carter at the World Cup but for Brett, his only emphasis is on getting the Blues into sync, into strong cohesion and into the playoffs.

Brett's philosophy is a variation on the old theme of steady improvement, taking baby steps and when that occurs, higher honours will beckon.

Brett played every game for the Blues in his debut year last season and, with competition from Luke McAlister, is poised to run the five-eighths role again for the team.

He is in a group with Stephen Donald, Colin Slade, Mike Delany and Aaron Cruden, who are all looking for the right balance in their games to convince the national selectors they should go to the World Cup.

Brett looks sharp and along with the rest of the squad has been working hard on his fitness either side of their Christmas/New Year break.

"I had a few days off here and there and enjoyed what I ate and drank but I'm right back into it now," he said after a Blues session.

"It's been pretty humid up here but it will be like that when we head off to Africa then Perth after our opening game."

That match is against his old comrades, the Crusaders, at Eden Park on February 19.

Brett feels he has a better handle on his game and his teammates going into a second season with the Blues. All Black halfback Alby Mathewson and midfielders Benson Stanley or McAlister will be alongside him to build on the combinations that started last season.

"We have a good squad on paper and now we just have to work hard to connect on the field," he said.

"There are big prizes later in the year and perhaps that is in the back of everyone's mind but that is later. I don't want to worry about that, I want to make sure my game with the Blues helps them to a successful year.

"One of my main focuses this year is concentrating for the whole 80 minutes and in looking to do that I have been getting a lot fitter.

"The game has changed and you need to be a whole lot fitter so we have to do some extra work."

Brett has been working hard with assistant coach Bryce Woodward to change parts of his game but his big deal is nailing the concentration.