Waikato hope focus on bigger picture will keep them going

Waikato have not been losing any sleep analysing Bay of Plenty's game ahead of their match at WestpacTrust Park today.

Not that any disrespect is intended, just that Kiwi Searancke has had his team looking at themselves rather than the opposition.

"The focus is on our team and our game," Searancke said. "When you look like your back's against the wall you can start wondering too much about what the other guy's going to be doing."

The emphasis at training this week has been heavily on team runs and less than usual on individual or unit skills.

"You can concentrate a lot on the little wee things that go wrong and find that you don't actually fix your game. Our aim this week is to fix our game, our set pieces, our attack ... "

The lineout problems against Auckland at Eden Park a week ago have been put down to panic and looking for the miracle call rather than going for the "money ball."

Searancke said the blame could not be attached to any one person and no personnel changes had been made, but if the problems continued there would be.

Injury woes have beset Bay of Plenty again this week, with flankers Dallas Seymour (knee) and Dave Gorrie (quad), lock Mark Weedon (hand) and hooker Aleki Lutui sidelined.

What hopes BoP have rest in large part on the ability of first five-eighth and captain Glen Jackson to organise the visitors' game.

He is returning to his old stamping ground and hopes enthusiasm and passion will help to lift the Bay.

Jackson is adapting to a new rugby lifestyle in Rotorua from his experience with Waikato.

"Whereas with Waikato it was about 90 per cent professional, we train only twice a week, the same as club footy, which makes it pretty hard. I know the time Waikato spend training and what they are able to do during that time."

But he said what BoP lacked in time spent on training they made up for in enthusiasm: "Once they get there it is great because the guys have been looking forward to it all day while they've been working and everyone's buzzing."

Bay of Plenty have still to play the three teams immediately above them on the standings in the Air New Zealand-sponsored competition - Southland, Counties Manukau and Northland.

- NZPA