Wellington win very satisfying [Joe Wheeler]

The boys are pretty excited to be part of the first Tasman team to topple Wellington.

The Lions had a nine-day rest, while we had a had a four-day turnaround after beating Southland in Invercargill last Wednesday, so we feel like we got the recovery right.

We are tied for second with Taranaki and despite this being our first year in the premiership, we've showed we can foot it with the five big unions.

It is pleasing but not really a surprise to us, the players. Last year was a real watershed year for us when we only lost two games all season - to Canterbury and North Harbour.

That grew the self-belief in the team and that group hasn't changed much.

We've had a stable senior leadership group and guys who have come into the team are expected to meet the standard we set last year.

On paper we don't match up with those bigger unions in terms of player numbers and money. We've always been the little fish in the big pond and we always will be.

Now the goal is to earn a home semifinal. We have Otago this weekend, then Canterbury and Counties Manukau so if we can win those three and Canterbury or Taranaki slip up, we're in with a shot at a home semi.

That said, we're being careful not to get ahead of ourselves. If you pump your tyres up too much it is easy to get tripped up. We've attacked the season one game at a time and that's how we'll continue.

It has been a big week for the whole squad but especially for Jimmy Cowan. It was a special night for him in Invercargill and although it must have felt a bit strange to be tackling the maroon jersey instead of wearing it, I think he really enjoyed it.

He had a brilliant game and came a close second to Tim Perry for the Mako Man award. The Mako cheer goes up when the boys go up to get the award, a shark's tooth, that the boys usually hang it off their car mirror.

Jimmy backed that up by getting a Super Rugby contract which is well deserved - it's just a shame it has to be with the Blues! He's made a massive contribution to the team and it's been great having his experience.

He's a great mentor to Billy Guyton who has learned heaps from him and they are pushing each other for that starting spot each week.

Next up, we have to beat those Otago boys this Sunday at Trafalgar Park.

They'll be fired up after giving a good Waikato side a hiding in Dunedin and they play a similar style to us, liking to throw the ball around, so it should be an entertaining match.

It's also our last Nelson match unless we can get a home semifinal so we're hoping the fans turn out in their droves and get right behind us.

We really feel it on the field and it motivates us.

Keep it long and keep it on.

• Makos lock Joe Wheeler writes for the Nelson Mail and the Marlborough Express during the NPC campaign.

- The Marlborough Express