Taranaki surf athlete/coach delivers warning

Taranaki's Glenn Anderson has delivered an ominous appraisal ahead of the weekend's Lion Foundation Surf League, warning all six rival provinces that the reigning champions head to Mt Maunganui a more well-rounded unit than last year's winning team.

Taranaki last year broke through for their first win in the inter-provincial league with a 31.5 point margin over second-placed Canterbury.

Anderson, the New Zealand captain, will compete as well as coach the team for the first time and today warned they would be less reliant this weekend on the undisputed talents of beach sprint star Paul Cracroft-Wilson and crack IRB crew Jaron Mumby and Chris Scott.

``The IRB crew's been the best in the world for the last 10 years and know what they're up to, and our canoe boys have known for a while who's in, so they've been spending plenty of time together on the water.

``But I'd like to think come Saturday we're a pretty even team across the board. Last year our definite strength was canoe and IRB -- they're what got us home -- but I'm struggling right now to single any one event out, which is a good thing.''

Anderson is bidding for an extraordinary four-peat, having won the last three titles with Gisborne (2007), Bay of Plenty (2008) and Taranaki, although an ankle injury 12 months ago forced him to the sideline.

His competition in the blue riband ironman race on both days against the likes of  Daniel Moodie (Hawke's Bay), Mike Janes (Gisborne) and Perth-based Bay of Plenty teenager David Graham should be a classic.

``I've had some good racing this season, although I've been careful to not overdo it on the competition front -- I've got to watch the young fellas coming through! ``The challenge of coaching as well as racing will make it a harder two days than it usually is.''

Taranaki's star-stacked lineup are gunning for a second open title and 30-year-old Anderson is comfortable with the inevitable target they'll have on their backs.

``If you look back, particularly over the last few years, no one's really done a repeat performance but we've got enough new faces in the team to not feel too much pressure.

``I suppose once we arrive at the Mount people will start looking at us and the fact it's our name on the trophy, but I'd expect the likes of Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne to be pushing hard and in the mix too.''

New Zealand coach Scott Bartlett and his selection panel will use the Surf League to help pick a 12-strong squad to take Egypt's world championships in October. Anderson, for one, is amped about rising to the challenge.

``Domestically, the surf league still holds plenty of prestige and I'm keen to be in the mix for the worlds -- it'll be my 11th season if everything goes well.

``A lot of my own strengths as far as the world champs go are in the pool events. I set all PBs (personal bests) at the last pool champs in Wellington in October so I think I'm still going alright.''

The fast-paced, two-day surf league will feature 17 events a day, with under-19 athletes competing on Mount Maunganui's Main Beach in the morning and senior athletes doing battle in the afternoon (noon start).

Auckland are the defending under-19 champions, having beaten Bay of Plenty last year, with Wellington third.

Competing provinces: Auckland, Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Canterbury.