Wary Penney cans talk of romp on Home Services

Jan

Wary Penney cans talk of romp

posted by admin in Window Cleaning

Plonked near the 22m mark of the north-east corner of the infamous terrace, the media facility, which resembles a large shipping container with windows, is an easy target for cranky blue and gold supporters to strafe. If Canterbury deals to Otago in Dunedin tonight, it would be a brave journalist that scuttles from the safety of the steel bunker immediately after referee Gary Wise declares full-time. Doing so risks being sprayed from the burst missiles, or worse being struck by one of the spent shells. When the Crusaders have beaten the Highlanders at the ground in recent years, the wave of cans hitting the media box has sounded like the beginning of the Tet Offensive. Tonight, however, there may be a reprieve; not because the crowd lacks venom but because there may not be enough numbers to launch an attack. As of yesterday, only around 4000 tickets had sold. Optimistically, the Otago union is hoping for around 8000 fans to file into the 29,000 capacity stadium. The weather is not likely to help much either, with a cold southerly expected to blast through the city this afternoon. But despite Otago’s well-documented woes this season it suffered a humiliating 7-68 loss to Wellington in its Air New Zealand Cup opener and just squeaked past Northland 23-20 last weekend Canterbury has not found Carisbrook an easy place to win at in recent years. It last won there six years ago and when the sides last met in Dunedin, in 2005, Otago snared a 24-19 upset win. That was despite Canterbury fielding All Blacks Richie McCaw, Chris Jack and Aaron Mauger, who had just returned from rest and recreation following their All Blacks’ duties. A fortnight later, Otago again put the boot in this time in Christchurch when it beat Canterbury 37-22 in the semi-final, and in 2003 Canterbury came to grief at Carisbrook when Otago triumphed 32-16. But that was then and this is now. The odds of the beer cans flying through the air is far higher than them being tipped back in celebratory cheer. While admittedly against weaker opposition, Canterbury has clocked up 86 points, including 12 tries, in two rounds 56 points more than Otago. Despite much of the country picking an away win, Rob Penney, a former Canterbury loose forward and now a wary coach, remains cautious. “Otago is a very, very proud place. They got really, badly hurt against Wellington and no team reacts well to that. They won’t be looking at their Northland performance. They will take some confidence out of it, but they will know they have got some improving to do.” Otago will look to absorb some lessons from Bay of Plenty’s effort against Canterbury in the first round. Although the Bay lost 3-34, it remained competitive for the first 60 minutes by slowing down the ball at every opportunity. In contrast, Counties could not compete at the clean outs and got badly burnt. Otago has also used a rushing defence to unsettle opponents and, with a backline not blessed with game breakers, it will likely revolve its game around set-pieces, use its forwards to execute pick-and-goes and get pivot Charlie Hore to kick for territory to put pressure on its opponent’s lineout. Penney is adamant the old enemy will be steamed up for this South Island derby. “If you talk about the game being played with the head and the heart, they will be highly motivated and they will be hurting. “And they will see us as a very good opportunity to try to mend some of that hurt. “To that end, we have to match that passion, desire and attitude they bring to ensure we can get the result we want.” Canterbury, with unwanted All Blacks wing Rico Gear ready to be offloaded from the bench, should have too much class in its backline. Otago will aim to shut down first five-eighths Stephen Brett, something the Bay and Counties could not do. Unlike the All Blacks, who took an eternity to strike top form after their reconditioning programmes, Brett has wasted little time in setting the competition alight. If Otago cramps him up with its rushing defence, extra responsibility will be heaped on halfback Kevin Senio to ensure Brett does not get isolated or for midfield backs Ben Nowell and Casey Laulala to cart the ball out of trouble.