Keane expects grind, not glitz [Nelson Mail]
It's time for the planets to align for the Tasman Makos.
They know what they're capable of, and now they must prove it on the big stage in tomorrow's ITM Cup championship final.
This season, the Makos have set all manner of new team and individual Tasman provincial records on their way to qualifying at the top of the championship points table. But blow their lines tomorrow and they run the very real risk of losing to a talented and dangerous Hawke's Bay team.
The Makos have worked hard all year to secure tomorrow's home ground advantage, having won all three of their games on Trafalgar Park this season. That included Hawke's Bay in round six, although the 18-9 win was one of the tightest of their campaign.
Tasman head coach Kieran Keane is expecting another close match, befitting a genuine championship final. He predicted that it would be a game "more for the purist", rather than pure entertainment.
"I'm expecting a really tough final," he said. "I think it'll be a war of attrition, personally.
"The weather forecast [showers] isn't great, so we have to factor in that. I think that will keep the teams even and it'll be a real contest and a true final.
"The best two teams are in the final, so we're just looking forward to the last challenge, really, and the boys are pretty pumped up about it.
"They've created history all season and they know that they've got one more hurdle."
The only changes to Tasman's starting lineup from their semifinal win over Southland are among the loose forwards. Captain Shane Christie returns from a concussion, and Gary Redmond switches to the blindside flank in place of Tevita Koloamatangi, who has himself failed a concussion test.
"It couldn't have come at a worse time for him, so we just have to move on," Keane said.
Nevertheless, the coach has felt the excitement mounting within the camp.
"I can detect an amped-up environment, there's no doubt about that, but we're trying to keep the boys grounded and focused."
He said it had been a light week training-wise.
"We don't really need to hammer things home. We're well aware of what's needed and how we need to play."
Hawke's Bay have had one fewer day to prepare, after last Sunday's draining semifinal win over Otago in Dunedin. However, head coach Craig Philpott said he didn't believe that would have a significant impact on tomorrow's performance.
"I think at this time of the year, when you're preparing for a final, it's not too hard to get guys up mentally, and usually the body follows along pretty well. So we certainly won't be using that as an excuse.
"We've prioritised our time and made sure we've focused, first and foremost, on recovery and making sure that we're in the best physical and mental state to be able to come down and play the final."
Since their loss to Tasman, the Magpies have steadily increased their momentum through four straight wins, including significant victories against premiership team Wellington and Otago.
"Obviously, four wins in a row is always a good thing, and particularly when you're leading into a final," Philpott said.
"[But] there's no doubt that Tasman are the form side. They've had a fantastic season, and we're certainly coming into this as the underdog.
"But we're just going about our work quietly, and we'll see what we can put out there on Friday night."
Philpott expressed genuine respect for Tasman, rating them alongside Wellington as the two best teams in the entire competition. "They're a very good forward pack, very good set-piece, particularly their lineout, and a solid scrum.
"They're a team that doesn't kick the ball a lot and like to keep the ball in hand, attack hard and are a fantastic offloading side.
"They're very well coached by two astute rugby brains as well, so they're a pretty special team."
There are still doubts surrounding the availability of Hawke's Bay captain and loose forward Mike Coman and midfielder Andrew Horrell, both with haematoma injuries.
There are threats throughout the backline, though, from former All Blacks halfback Alby Mathewson right through to another ex-All Black, Zac Guildford, at fullback. Throw in Maori All Blacks first five-eighth Ihaia West and exciting wing Telusa Veainu, and the challenge facing Tasman is obvious.
"There's some good boys there, but we've got to get them the ball," said Philpott
