Otago Spirit has game plan sorted

EXPECT the expected.

Although there might be some room for innovation, Otago Spirit coach Scott Manson suggested there were basically no secrets at this time of the season.

The game plans are cast. Otago will look to play with width and tempo and try to outrun the big Hawke’s Bay pack in the Farah Palmer Cup championship final in Balclutha on Saturday.

The Tui will aim to keep the ball in the middle of the park and in the hands of their big ball carriers.

‘‘They are big and strong and we imagine they will try and beat us there,’’ Manson said.

‘‘If I was coaching them, that is what I would do.’’

The Tui will not just lean on their size advantage.

Former Black Fern Krysten Cottrell is influential for Hawke’s Bay at No 10, and inside her, Emma Jensen is another key cog in the lineup.

‘‘They have played together for quite a few years now. Krysten Cottrell drives their game and kicks really well and is just a classy player.

‘‘They’ve got a couple of really good midfielders who are really strong carriers and who get them over the game line.’’

Otago’s own halfbackfirst five combination is a strength as well, and the Spirit has two quality midfielders to match the Tui.

But the home team will look to move the ball a lot wider and get it to the outside channels.

Otago is unbeaten this season and beat Hawke’s Bay 4422 in the opening game of the season.

But Manson said the Tui had improved a lot since that encounter and he expected a tougher challenge.

‘‘Looking at their footage, they are a lot better than what they were. They are more connected and their depth defence will be a lot stronger. Back in round one, they weren’t as ready as they are now.’’

A big focus for the Spirit this week has been getting it right at the breakdown.

Manson felt his side lacked intensity during that phase in the 4217 semifinal win over North Harbour.

Some of that might have been because the Spirit led 375 at halftime.

But against Hawke’s Bay, the Spirit will need to keep its energy levels high and show some more physicality around the ruck.

The Spirit will make a few changes. Utility forward Gemma Millar and replacement back Te Atawhai Campbell have picked up concussions, and Titietasi SchmidtSami, who filled in at prop last weekend, has also been ruled out with a knee injury. She actually got injured during the warmup, but still played 15 minutes on adrenaline.