Underdogs hold no fear

1.00pm

They may be rank underdogs but Bay of Plenty prop Ben Castle believes his teammates are ready to provide more surprises in the NPC first division rugby semifinal against Canterbury in Christchurch on Saturday night.

Unfancied and largely ignored at the start of the season, Bay of Plenty have exploded into prominence over the past 10 weeks to book themselves a playoffs berth.

Tighthead prop Castle now believes they can go one step further and reach the final.

"Now we've made the semis, we've got nothing to lose at all," Castle said.

"That's the good thing about going into this game -- there's not that pressure of possibly missing out.

"We're thinking about really having a good crack rather than worrying about what could happen if we lose."

Castle, who has a double degree from Otago University, is smart enough to realise the magnitude of his side's task on Saturday.

Canterbury, bursting with All Blacks, have one of the most parochial crowds in the country and are in ominous form.

Castle noted that his team's analysts were having a bit of trouble trying to spot weaknesses in the opposition.

"At this end of the competition in semifinal rugby, Canterbury are a side with a lot of international players and they tend to lift it up another level.

"This is when they start hitting their straps. It's fair to say it's going to be a fairly tough encounter."

But emphasising Castle's initial optimism was an inaudible buzz around the team during their final practice session last night.

Tackle bags were smacked with venom, passes were crisp and chatter loud.

It's the enthusiasm of a team over their biggest hurdle -- that of gaining credibility with the public -- and knowing they have only themselves left to impress.

It was also a side boosted by the shock appearance at training of injured hooker Aleki Lutui, who broke his arm three weeks ago against Wellington.

Lutui is unlikely to be considered for Saturday's match on the advice of medical staff but his presence, especially during a furious 20-minute session on the scrum machine, seemed to lift the players.

Another training session was scheduled for today but coach Vern Cotter cancelled it, aware his players had received a physical battering when denying North Harbour any tries in a 14-9 win in Albany on Sunday.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES

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