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Written by Kevin Schuler
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Friday, 06 October 2006 |
 Need to show we're contenders rather than steam dreamers
NEW Zealand hasn't seen the best of the Steamers this year.
I'd like to think they'll get that chance tomorrow.
All the pressure's definitely on Auckland but if we want to progress, we've got to figure out a way to expect more than being just quarterfinalists.
Our goal at the start of the season was to make the playoffs - and we've made them - but this has been a really important week for reassessing.
Now we can't be happy that we've made the playoffs - we've got to want to be there next week. Finals rugby is all about what happens on the day but it's also about the teams that have an expectation of themselves down the stretch.
Just look at the NRL finals and the expectation that a guy like Wayne Bennett had on his side.
That expectation is a big thing. It's pretty absolute - you're either going to win or lose and the losers go home.
A team like the Newcastle Knights got blown out by 50 points - in pool play, there was no way they'd get beaten like that but it's an accumulation of the absolute.
The Air New Zealand Cup is a hard competition to get used to.
Even though it's an interesting format, it's quite difficult from a planning point of view and hard to build the momentum of a traditional season.
That's probably one area they need to look at and review at the end of the season, just to give the fans a decent crack.
They've got to figure out a way to extend that first round. Six games in a round is just far too short - after three games, you're just warming up and you're already halfway through.
And after that, you don't know where you're playing.
You probably need to hit the ground running if you want to get into that top flight because there's no real middle - you're either at the top of the pool or you're at the bottom.
For our own growth, we've probably been lucky that we've been able to come in the back door and string some wins together, rather than do an Otago and lose four on the trot. Their points haven't changed since the first round.
The key factor now is how we manage that step back up from how we've been playing, especially the mental speed, reaction speed and the physicality.
Auckland's going to be a lot different from Hawke's Bay and Counties.
Now we're at the business end, it's probably a good chance to look at some highlights of the season.
- Unsung players. The guys no one knew at the start of the year, like Cory Aporo, Aaron Rameka, John Pareanga and Wayne Hughson.
- Jamie Nutbrown. He's new to the union but he's been outstanding.
- Openside warfare. Nili Latu and Tanerau Latimer have probably been the best No7s in the competition.
- Tanerau's efforts coming on against Tasman for those last tense few minutes. Three steals in as many tackles.
- Tries of the year were those two early ones against Auckland to have them reeling at 20-6. Pity it turned to custard after that - but we're determined to play with 15 players tomorrow.
Story with thanks to the Bay of Plenty Times
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