It's all-change for the Steelers
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:58
Counties Manukau coach Greg Aldous has made wholesale changes to his team, after two poor performances in a row, as they look forward to their Air New Zealand Cup Round Four match against the ever-improving Otago on Thursday.
The areas that underwent the most drastic changes are the loose forwards, the inside backs and the bench.
The most noteworthy selection is that of Tanner Vili at first five-eighth (No.10).
In all there are nine changes to the starting XV.
Tighthead prop Jayden Murch is bracketed with Eugene Beneke, pending a late fitness test.
Gary Saifoloi comes in at No.8, with Fritz Lee moving from the back of the scrum to blindside flank and Sevens star DJ Forbes moving to openside. Viliami Fihaki drops down to the bench.
Samisoni Fisilau takes over from Kevin Farrell at scrumhalf, Vili is at No.10 ahead of Dean Cummins, who moves to inside centre in place of Romi Ropati, David Raikuna is the left wing in place of Siale Piutau and Siale Piutau is at fullback ahead of Tim Nanai-Williams.
After making a spectacular start against Auckland, Counties Manukau has been horrible in the past two weeks.
The forwards have been going okay, winning sufficient ball and getting good territory, but the backs have played like complete strangers and the tackling has, at times, been non-existent. As a result the Steelers have given up 109 points and 16 tries in the last two matches.
Counties Manukau Steelers: 15 Siale Piutau, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Dean Cummins, 11 David Raikuna, 10 Tanner Vili, 9 Samisoni Fisilau, 8 Gary Saifoloi, 7 Fritz Lee, 6 DJ Forbes, 5 Andrew Van der Heijden (captain), 4 Jamie Chipman, 3 Jayden Murch/Eugene Beneke, 2 Lance Po-ching, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Ilaisa Maasi, 17 Eugene Beneke/Rob Katu, 18 Rupeni Nasiga, 19 Viliami Fihaki, 20 Romi Ropati, 21 Kevin Farrell, 22 Sherwin
Stowers.
Date: Thursday, August 21
Venue: Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.05 (07.05 GMT)
Referee: Josh Noonan
TMO: Matt Stanish
