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Counties' Tana Umaga - Source: Photosport -
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Counties Manukau vs Tasman, 7:35pm at Pukekohe
Last clash: Tasman beat Counties Manukau 51-15 in Nelson
(Round 3, 2009)
TAB: Counties Manukau $1.65, Tasman $2.15
Can a burst bubble bounce back?
As mixed as that metaphor is, so has been Counties Manukau's endeavours this season: from Lions tamers to football fodder. The Steelers have only a short time to lick their wounds following their 36 point drubbing at the hands of Waikato last Saturday.
So why are the odds stacked so heavily in the Steelers' favour? The return of breakthrough first-five Baden Kerr will go a long way to righting the ship.
So to will the tinkering of the loose trio that sees standout No.8 Fritz Lee shift to the back of the scrum.
How Counties Manukau react to last weekend's thumping will go a long way in showing whether this re-emerging province is a genuine top seven prospect or an early season fairytale.
If it weren't for Counties' dramatics, Tasman may well have earned a few more headlines. After all, they have accounted for Canterbury and Hawke's Bay, and pushed Southland very close.
To improve on that narrow loss to the Stags last Saturday the Makos welcome back All Blacks prop Ben Franks. His presence countered by the loss of skipper Chris Jack, who is being rested following pre-season surgery that has flared up midweek.
There is a sense of belief in the latest incarnation of the Tasman Union.
That is no more evident in the relatively star-less backline that is humming along nicely under the tutelage of Leon MacDonald; where the Marshall Brothers are hitting their straps and Kade Poki is rediscovering his Crusaders form of yesteryear.
Key: The final 10 minutes will be the making or breaking
of this game as both teams' fitness will be stretched to the limit
following a short five day turnaround.
Tip: Counties Manukau
Counties Manukau: Tim Nanai Williams, Ahsee Tuala, Siale
Piutau, Tana Umaga, Sherwin Stowers, Baden Kerr, August Pulu; Fritz
Lee, Pepa Koloamatangi, Ronald Raaymakers, Jamie Chipman, Taiasina
Tuifua, Jono Owen, Grant Henson, Simon Lemalu.
Res: Mark Price, Graham Dewes, Sikeli Nabou, Mark Selwyn, Samisoni
Fisilau, Rey Lee-Lo, David Raikuna
Tasman: Robbie Malneek, Blair Cook, Kade Poki, Tom
Marshall, James Kamana, James Marshall, Steve Alfeld; Joe Wheeler,
Jonathan Poff, Tasi Luafutu, Ben Coman, Glen Gregory, Ben Franks,
Francis Smith, Fai Mika
Res: Vernon Fredericks, Craig Moore, Jarrod Aberhart, Shane
Christie, Kaide Whiting, Sione Holani, Afeleki Pelenise
