Joe Wheeler highlighting the positives of a winning Makos' season
Tasman Makos lock Joe Wheeler is looking forward to Friday's crunch NPC away clash with Wellington.
Joe Wheeler admits that the Tasman Makos haven't produced anything like their best stuff yet but he's also keeping everything clearly in perspective.
After now more than 70 games in the Makos jersey, the experienced lock knows the bottom line. So he's not getting too bent out of shape about some scratchy - albeit winning - team performances. He's as determined as anyone that Tasman plays to the best of their ability although in spite of this season's unbeaten four-win record and maximum competition points, he says their best is still ahead of them.
"We're not playing perfectly and we know that as a playing group, we're not where we want to be but I think, as a senior player and as vice-captain - and I speak for [captain] Shane [Christie] as well when I say this - we'd rather be four from four than o and four and winning ugly than losing pretty," Wheeler said.
"I think when you're winning ugly, and you're winning, the morale of the team sill stays high and that's the main thing for us. If you get too negative and focus too much on that, your game will head that way. So for us it's about worrying about what we can control and what we can do better in our game so that we can hit our straps.
"We're only four games into this competition and if we're playing our best rugby now, teams are going to work us out as well. We've got a lot of room to improve and I think that's exciting."
He said that some new players, particularly some of the younger backs, were still finding their feet.
"Once we get the balance to our game right, then I think we're going to be really dangerous. I think we're dangerous already. We've put away some pretty good teams and we're doing a pretty good job of it."
Defensively though, Wheeler said the team had conceded some soft tries in their last two games.
"But I think the team's in a really good space and we're just really excited about this weekend against Wellington who are probably the form team of the competition."
He said that the emphasis at training this week had been about getting the little parts of their game right.
"We don't really know what Wellington are going to bring, but what we do know is that they've got a fantastic defensive line and we're just trying to work out ways to break that down. We know that we just need to stick to our guns and if we worry about us first and foremost and get our house in order, then hopefully the rest will take care of itself."
Still, he said Wellington's defence will provide the Makos with one of the biggest challenges of the season so far.
"They've only conceded one try in four matches so they're an impressive outfit and play some good rugby, so we're under no allusions as to what to expect when we head up to the capital.They're trying to get a bit of pride back after a disappointing season last year. They're going the right way about it and certainly their defence shows what a good team environment they've got."
Wheeler's enjoying having big new South African lock Marco Kotze on board and said he was keeping both himself and other lock Alex Ainley honest.
"It just shows the pulling power of the Makos now to get that kind of quality in this team."
Wheeler's feeling healthy again after a recent bout of septicaemia.
"The energy levels were pretty low for that week. But after having that week off and missing the Manawatu game, it was good to get on the park against Otago and get 80 minutes in. Other than that, I'm feeling really good and just loving getting some sun on our backs."
For all Wellington's fine efforts this season though, Wheeler suspects that Friday's biggest challenge will be about head space.
"If we're not mentally there, we shouldn't really be lacing the boots because this is the biggest challenge for us [so far] this season and we're excited about it.
"If you're not there mentally in the ITM Cup, anyone can beat anyone on their day."
