Rugby: Umaga demands better after Turbos fast finish

Counties coach Tana Umaga has tough selection decisions to make. Photo / Den Purcell

Tana Umaga will be impressing upon his Counties Manukau Steelers this week the importance of treating rugby as an 80-, not 75-minute game.

This follows their 36-35 victory over the Manawatu Turbos on Sunday in Pukekohe. Both sides ended with five tries apiece, but the Steelers were dominant and led 36-14 at the 73-minute mark before the Turbos secured two competition bonus points. The final scoreline could not have been more flattering to the visitors.

"It's an 80-minute game. How we finished is not something we should be proud of. But we got five points, which is crucial. Obviously Manawatu are in the Premiership and they dug deep and came back at us. It probably didn't help that we gave them competition points," the Steelers coach said.

Lying in wait on Sunday in Christchurch will be Canterbury, a team Counties Manukau defeated 10 days ago in a pre-season outing. Umaga virtually ruled out any game time for Sonny Bill Williams, who is contracted and needs some rugby ahead of the August 30 All Blacks' RWC announcement, but is seeking full fitness.

"I haven't heard anything. He's trying to get his body right," Umaga said.

The coach does have a selection headache in the loose forwards, all of whom performed well against Manawatu. No8 Maama Vaipulu showed skill with a long cutout pass for Toni Pulu's first try, while openside Sam Henwood was energetic and scored a good try. Captain Jimmy Tupou, at blindside, won plenty of lineout ball and led from the front. Both Jordan Taufua and Onosa'i Auva'a offered strong impact off the bench, while Dan Hyatt, whom Umaga rates highly, could not make the 23.

"It's the good headache you want, but trying to get everyone in is blimmin' difficult. It gives us that extra bit in the lineout, but everyone is putting pressure on us when we name the team. For these first couple of weeks, we'll give everyone a run, but what happens later in the piece I couldn't tell you," he said.

Umaga may have lost most of his 2014 backline, but there were some telling Steelers debuts in key positions, notably from the halves Richard Judd, who continued his fine Onewhero club form, and Bombay No10 Piers Francis, who kicked well and controlled the play tidily.

Umaga is happy with the points but knows they need a plan to combat Canterbury's lineout drive after the Turbos scored twice from that set-piece on Sunday.