Rugby: Brothers in Taniwha line-up

Dan Hawkins will be steering the Taniwha around Toll Stadium in their match against Taranaki.PHOTO/JOHN STONE

Tomorrow night at Toll Stadium will be a special night for Kara and Dan Pryor when they face Taranaki at 7.35pm, marking the first time the brothers have started for the Taniwha.

Younger brother Kara has been elevated to the starting line-up after Jack Ram was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

While it is the first time the brothers, aged 23 and 26, have started for the Taniwha together, it isn't the first time they have played in an ITM Cup match together.

Dan is well-known to Northlanders, if not for his varying hair styles from season-to-season then for his legendary tackling and try-scoring abilities. However, Kara is a newer addition to the Taniwha roster after debuting in the ITM Cup for Auckland last season.

Last season Dan and Kara came face-to-face when Northland met Auckland, with Kara's side coming away victors, but since then they have joined forces - much to the delight of the Northland Rugby Union.

In the off-season Kara headed north and played for Old Boys Marist, gaining respect of Northlanders by earning his spot and contributing to the club rugby scene.

With the in-form Ram out injured, Kara has the chance to make a name for himself as the quality flanker he is.

Kara's shift into the openside jersey isn't the only change from the side which lost 36-34 to Southland on Saturday, with the side returning to their more regular form.

Namatahi Waa has returned to the front row while Shane Neville moves back into the engine room as Willgriff John and Michael Stolberg shift back to the bench.

Regular starting halfback Tane Takulua returns also, as does Jone Macilai on the wing along with Troy Gilbert and Brooke Gilmore in the centre. Ume Fosita has kept his spot in the starting line-up, shifting to the right wing in place of Dan McCully who made a shorter than expected debut on the weekend.

Tomorrow's match against the in-form Taranaki side is the side's first home game since knocking over Hawke's Bay 23-21 after the final hooter nearly two weeks ago.

Coaches Derren Witcombe and George Konia are hoping their side can continue their strong performances, although fixing up their execution errors they had against Southland.

"There's a good feeling in the group and we're keeping our feet on the ground. We're not down and glum, we know what we need to do," Witcombe said.

• Taniwha fans have been asked to get in behind the team tomorrow night as they hunt for a semifinal berth.

Northland are in prime position to pull it off, but with just two home games remaining the Taniwha want to cash in on the home advantage.

Taniwha coach Derren Witcombe commented that with 60-odd Northlanders following them around the South Island, he felt the young team lifted because of the support.

"It makes a difference. The support goes a long way to the team's performance ..."

Round 6
Tomorrow: Northland v Taranaki, Toll Stadium, 7.35pm.

Taniwha
Ross Wright
Matt Moulds
Namatahi Waa
Shane Neville
Tom Murday
Dan Pryor
Kara Pryor
Cam Eyre (c)
Tane Takulua
Dan Hawkins
Jone Macilai
Troy Gilbert
Brook Gilmore
Ume Fosita
Matt Wright.
Reserves: Howard Sililoto, Willgriff John, Michael Stolberg, Miracle Tulua, Kurt Davies, Warren Dunn, Whiria Meltzer.