Rugby: Taniwha focus on own game

Dan Bowden, Northland and Blues first five-eighth, could make a return to action in coming weeks. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Changes have been made to Northland's lineup for their round-three clash against Wellington at Westpac Stadium tomorrow.

Faced with an arduous task in the form of the Wellington Lions' explosive attack, a threat which includes the likes of All Blacks Cory Jane and Victor Vito as well as exciting All Blacks Sevens signee Ardie Savea, the Taniwha will be intent on playing their own game, according to head coach Richie Harris.

"It's just making sure we do our jobs really well defensively and being connected in our defence. Cory Jane is probably one of the best fenders in the game so there's no point in going high against him," Harris said.

"A lot of focus has been on us more than them. The threats they present are pretty obvious and everyone knows what they present."

Placing plenty of emphasis on their scrum, lineout and defensive connections at training this week, the Taniwha have undergone rigorous analysis to refine their own game instead of worrying about what Wellington will bring.

"All we can do to stop that is do our jobs accurately and just gain clarity on what we're doing," Harris said.

"With our scrum, we've just been worrying about getting more power and we've put some good sessions together this week which has been good, so there's real intent to be able to launch something decent off that."

Gaining his first start this week, Sean Sweetman will take the No4 jersey after New Zealand Under-20s lock Josh Goodhue was ruled out with a minor foot concern.

"I think our lineout particularly will come under a bit more pressure this week so it'll be interesting with Josh being out," Harris said.

Also out of the starting team is Matt Talaese, who will miss three games after being cited for a dangerous charging incident against Southland last weekend.

In the midfield, Troy Gilbert and Jordan Hyland are set to be the ideal starting duo against Wellington. Warren Dunn and Dave Thomas will be on the bench and act as injury cover for the outside backs.

Promisingly, Blues first five-eighth Dan Bowden and co-captain Dan Pryor, both of whom have been going through injury rehabilitation, were at training yesterday.

Harris said they hoped to have Pryor back for the round-four match against Taranaki, while Bowden could be back in two to three weeks.

Northland will have their captain's run this morning before flying to Wellington for the round-three encounter.

Wellington, tomorrow, 7.35pm

Northland:

Howard Sililoto, Matt Moulds (c), Namatahi Waa, Sean Sweetman, Michael Stolberg, Shane Neville, Kara Pryor, Taniela Manu, Sam Nock, Dan Hawkins, Jone Macilai, Troy Gilbert, Jordan Hyland, Waisea Lawbuka, Mathew Wright.

Reserves:

Jordan Olsen, Ross Wright, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Jaycob Matiu, Dan O'Rourke, Kurt Davies, Warren Dunn, Dave Thomas.

Wellington: Cory Jane, Joe Hill, Matt Proctor, Shaun Treeby, Wes Goosen, Jonny Bentley, Frae Wilson, Victor Vito, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields (c), Hoani Matenga, Vaea Fifita, Jeffery To'omaga-Allen/Joe Apikotoa, Leni Apisai, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: James O'Reilly, Vince Sakaria, Apikotoa/Finbarr Kerr-Newell, James Blackwell, Adam Hill, Adam Deck, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Marvin Karawana.