COUNTIES MANUKAU

Counties Manukau will field one of the biggest packs fronting up in this year’s NPC.

The Steelers already impressive tight-five has been strengthened with the arrival of a homegrown player who went on to international fame. Former Wallaby prop Sekope Kepu is back where it all began for him. The 35-year-old has impressed in early Steelers training with his conditioning and willingness to help the younger players in the squad. Head coach Tai Lavea says Kepu is a massive presence in the squad. “We had Kieran Read last year for half a season and it feels like you have got someone of Reido’s stature and knowledge but fulltime this season. First and foremost, he is from the region. He went to Wesley College, played for Manurewa and the Steelers. “He is still in really good shape, trains hard and you can see the levels lift at training when he is around. He gives a lot of confidence to the younger players but helps us as coaches as well. We lean on him for leadership stuff, making sure we are on track and doing the right things. He’s been great.” Last season was Lavea’s first as head coach. He was happy with the progress made despite the Steelers finishing sixth in the Championship. “Within our performances last year, we were close in most games, which was pleasing. We had quite a robust review at the end of the year and have made some changes around recruiting. We are definitely in a better place than we were last year. “I think we have a group of players we can move forward with. We have put a lot of attention into our tight five and we have a really good blend of experience and youth. “I think overall there is better quality in the depth we have and it goes back to our Cavaliers development and Academy programme, plus our club rugby is improving.” Flanker Alamanda Motuga made quite an impression in his NPC debut season last year, highlighted by a hat trick against Manawatu that ended an unwanted 11-game losing streak for the Steelers. The Samoan Sevens star is a freakish athlete who Lavea says “was phenomenal for us last year. He took his opportunity and the rest is history”.

COACH: TAI LAVEA CO-CAPTAINS: ORBYN LEGER, MATIAHA MARTIN HOME GROUND: NAVIGATION HOMES STADIUM, PUKEKOHE WEBSITE: www.steelers.co.nz TICKETS: steelers.flicket.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 175, PUKEKOHE PHONE: 09 237 0033 EMAIL: admin@steelers.co.nz TAB ODDS: COUNTIES MANUKAU $8.00

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Other young talented players in the Steelers’ squad are 20-year-old first-five Cameron Roigard, who was with the Hurricanes earlier this year, and lock Alex McRobbie, the grandson of Ean McRobbie, who played 129 games for the Steelers. Former Māori All Blacks hooker Joseph Royal, experienced Tongan prop Sila Puafisi, loose

SAM SLADE dives for the line against Hawke’s Bay. LUTERU LAULALA on the charge for the Steelers.