CORNISH All Blacks joint head coach Ryan Westren wants his side to approach it ‘like we always do’ when they host fellow second bottom Newbury Blues in the South West Premier at Polson Bridge on Saturday.

The All Blacks are on a good run of form, winning their previous three games before securing a losing bonus point at high-flying Maidenhead 12 days ago.

Newbury, who occupy the final relegation spot at present, have also picked up in recent weeks. The Berkshire outfit have won their last two outings to claw themselves back into contention. However with Bracknell, Exmouth and Brixham also improving, the table couldn’t be closer, although Brixham and basement club Bracknell have two games in-hand over Newbury and Drybrook. Five points separate the bottom five with the All Blacks a point clear of Newbury. However a Launceston win could see them move up to ninth.

When the two promoted sides met in October, the All Blacks recorded their first victory of the season, a 28-16 success which saw tries from Westren, Torin Clarke and Brandon Rowley, and Western wants his side to treat it like a normal game.

He said: “Firstly we’re looking forward to being back at Polson Bridge in front of our home crowd after what’s felt like a fairly sporadic January.

“Obviously it’s clear that this is an important fixture but we’ll approach it like we always do, and prepare to give ourselves the best opportunity to get the desired outcome come 5pm on Saturday.”

An All Blacks bonus point victory without allowing Newbury to get a bonus point could see a six-point gap open up, with the Cornishmen having a game in-hand.

Westren said: “They’re a team fighting for league survival just like ourselves and that makes them dangerous, but it’s also our first chance to do a double on a side this season.”

By the time kick-off comes at 3pm on Saturday, the All Blacks won’t have played on home soil for a month, and Westren knows preparation is key in a game which could prove significant come April.

He said: “It’s one of those games that as a rugby player you want to be part of. How individuals deal with that is a personal thing. Some will want that pressure cauldron feel, others will distance themselves from that. As coaches’ it’s mine and Goldy’s (Ian Goldsmith) job to help facilitate those preferences whilst still preparing the team the best we can for the fixture. So in terms of training we’ll take the emotion out of it and make sure we create an environment this week that builds towards Saturday, not playing out Saturday at training.”

Launceston have lost just one of their last five outings in North Cornwall.

Westren said: “Our home form is always going to be paramount, and going forward if that continues it will leave us in a fairly good position, but our form needs to be good across the board. I can’t stress enough how we need to take it week by week so every fixture gets the full attention it deserves and requires.”

The All Blacks are hopeful that prop Rikki Bentham and centre Shaun Crawford will be fit to return having missed the last few games.

Elsewhere on Saturday, the seconds recorded a 24-5 victory over their St Austell counterparts in a friendly at Polson Bridge.