Talent drain threatens the Steelers

By CHRIS RATTUE

Counties Manukau always knew their task of re-claiming first division status would be difficult.

Now reality is biting with strong suggestions that first division provinces are making further moves to grab the union's best young talent.

Coach Bruce Robertson said yesterday that it was a fact of life that the Steelers' best players would want to go as high as possible in the game, although the union was desperate to retain them as the side tried to climb back to the top division.

Canterbury have long held designs on centre Casey Laulala, and the latest strong suggestion is that Otago are chasing wing Sitiveni Sivivatu.

"I've heard the rumour, although nothing official," Robertson said yesterday. "The fact is that all our top young guys will become targets of other unions if they perform. We'll do our best to keep them because we need them for the future of the team.

"But at the end of the day, in the modern system you can transfer if you get a better opportunity elsewhere.

"It is a mammoth task for a second division side to win the promotion-relegation game, but not impossible.

"If the second division side has a great day and the first division side an off day, it can happen."

Hawkes Bay are guaranteed top spot going into this weekend's final round of the second division, but Counties Manukau need to beat Mid Canterbury - guided by former Auckland under-19 coach Nigel Marshall - at Pukekohe today to assure themselves of second spot and home semifinals advantage.

The Steelers have lost midfield back Amasio Valence and Super 12 forward Kristian Ormsby to injury.

Counties Manukau: Gus Leger, Niva Ta'auso, Casey Laulala, Duncan Bell, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Quinton Sanft, Kevin Senio; Wayne McEntee (capt), Craig Glendinning, Semesi Saukawa, Ramon Lindsay, Dion Kingi, Josh Heke, Grant Henson, Alan McLean. Reserves: Pompei Lambert, Latiume Maka, Kitiona Viliame, Robert Afoa-Peterson; Kevin Farrell, Stephen Donald, Massey Tuhakaraina.

Mid Canterbury: Mark Fitzgerald, Yohei Shinomiya, Matangi Halaufia, Tupe Fanolua, Jason Feutz, John Ellis, Nathan Fridd; Jason Gill (capt), Daniel Bodser, Jonathon Miller, Andre Renata, Nathan Burgess, Stan Wright, Regan Johns Darren Cockburn. Reserves: Jon Sharpe, Steve MacAskill, Fano Tone, Andrew Dalton; Paul Harris, Jadah George, Sean Judkins.

Referee: Neville McAlister (Wellington).

Kickoff: 2.30pm.

* Hawkes Bay have a healthy lead with 29 points, followed by Counties Manukau 21, Manawatu 20, Nelson Bays 16 and Mid Canterbury 13.

Today, Thames Valley are at home to Marlborough, East Coast host Hawkes Bay, and Nelson Bays travel to Manawatu.

In the third division, North Otago, King Country, Horowhenua-Kapiti and South Canterbury look like semifinalists. In one of the key third division fixtures, South Canterbury host King Country.