Canterbury seek redemption to silence noisy neighbours Tasman
Canterbury halfback Mitchell Drummond given rare space during last year's 26-6 national provincial championship semifinal loss to Tasman in Nelson
Canterbury coach Scott Robertson is tiring of comparisons with last season's faltering national provincial championship campaign after just one defeat, so Saturday's clash with recent nemesis Tasman presents an ideal opportunity to silence the doubters.
Avenging twin defeats to New Zealand rugby's newest province presents several upsides for Robertson with securing a home semifinal in the play-offs among the positive spin-offs.
Although Canterbury top the premiership table with two rounds remaining, last weekend's loss to Taranaki has rekindled memories of the defending champion's alarming deterioration in 2014.
Tasman's 38-10 victory in Christchurch during the penultimate round of the regular season set the scene for Canterbury's 20-point sudden death defeat in Nelson a fortnight later - losses that still grate with Robertson.
After a vigorous training session on Thursday, Robertson went on the front foot after last year's disappointing end was raised.
"A lot of things happen in campaigns. People talk about last year. I suppose that's a good way to sell papers, and get correlations," he said, adding: "When we've won it, we've won it from all positions and different situations."
Winning at Nelson's Trafalgar Park would not only give the sceptics pause for thought, success should also mute an opponent who have not just expressed themselves through their style of play.
"They've certainly got a manner that they like playing us in, we're really well aware they create a little bit more atmosphere on the field that normal," said Robertson.
"That's how they approach it, and it's been successful for them."
Some Tasman personnel lorded it over their counterparts when cruising to victory, while former All Black Jimmy Cowan took particular delight intimidating rookie halfback Mitchell Drummond physically and verbally during both games.
No longer deputising for Willi Heinz, Drummond is a more assertive figure on the pitch this season and is looking forward to another duel with Cowan and Tasman's other No 9, Billy Guyton.
"It's a good battle, that's what any athlete wants, to test themselves against quality players. Jimmy's definitely that, so's Billy," he said diplomatically, before denying he would make a pre-emptive strike on Saturday.
"I wouldn't say that. Different guys handle things like that differently. I'm really excited to take that challenge on," he said.
Robertson, who confirms his team on Friday, was also enthused, though wary of a second-placed Tasman side under scrutiny themselves after losses to Auckland and Counties-Manukau.
He took no comfort from Tasman leaking five tries and missing 47 tackles at Pukekohe last Saturday.
"We're well aware they'll be hurting. We fully respect what they've done, they're well-coached, well-structured."
Canterbury are expected to name a similar side to the line-up that lost 24-21 to Taranaki on Sunday, although captain and No 8 Luke Whitelock is managing a side strain and wing Patrick Osborne, who withdrew shortly before kick-off, may need more time to recover from a calf injury.
Tasman: Robbie Malneek, Viliami Lolohea, Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Kade Poki, Marty Banks, Billy Guyton, Liam Squire, Shane Christie (captain), Pete Samu, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley, Siosuia Halanukonuka, Quentin MacDonald, Tim Perry. Reserves: Jesse MacDonald, Kane Hames, Ross Geldenhuys, Marco Kotze, Vernon Fredericks, Jimmy Cowan, Trent Renata, Andrew Goodman.
