Rugby: Francis puts best feet forward

Piers Francis. Photo / Getty

Piers Francis is one of that rare breed of modern day first fives.

He can punt with either foot, a much undervalued skill which sets him alongside the likes of Colin Slade and Marty McKenzie of current No 10s in New Zealand rugby. Dan Carter seldom uses his right boot.

"I had never had a left [foot] when I was younger, but a couple of my coaches throughout the years have been on at me. It gives you confidence to be able to put it on the other foot. I had a wobbly one on the left in the opening game but we won't replay that too often. I do like to pull it out when I can, though," says the 25-year-old English-born pivot, two games into his Steelers career after seven games for Auckland in 2011 and 10 for Waikato in 2012.

Kicking off either foot was a strength of Francis' idol Jonny Wilkinson. Might we see a snapped drop goal off the left boot, then?

"I've kept it in the back pocket so far, so we'll see."

We are sorry if we have blown his cover, though the clash with Championship front-runners in Pukekohe tomorrow looms as a potentially tight clash, almost a year to the day since the Magpies won the Ranfurly Shield from the Steelers.

Ihaia West is in top form, so Francis will need to be vigilant.

He has formed a useful partnership with halfback Richard Judd and the pair were at the centre of the contentious try to Canterbury skipper Luke Whitelock, which helped edge the Steelers 20-15 on Sunday.

"I believe Juddy was under it ... I tried to hold him up underneath," said Francis, who knows a good showing against the Blues No 10 will help in his quest for a Super Rugby gig after time at Edinburgh and the Doncaster Knights in between several injury breaks.

With a fully functioning body now, Francis has looked accomplished at No 10 for the Steelers, following in the footsteps of the reliable Baden Kerr and the mercurial Ahsee Tuala.

Counties Manukau will name their 23 today for the Hawkes Bay match, and wing Frank Halai looks set for a recall from his knee issues, having played for the Bs last week.

"They are playing well, with two good wins," said coach Tana Umaga.

"We're under no illusions about how tough this is coming off a short turnaround ... but we just need to stick to our structures and take our opportunities when they come."

Umaga also hinted that Jordan Taufua's future may lie at No 7, where he played last Sunday, due to his lack of lineout ball-winning height.

ITM Cup crossover

• Counties Manukau v Hawke's Bay
• ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, 7.35pm tomorrow.