Rugby: Wright's big night out on park

BACK: Awanui's Filipo Nakosi returns to the Taniwha starting line-up for the first time in a month. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Taniwha prop Ross Wright will be hoping his side can mark his 50th ITM Cup appearance with a win against Bay of Plenty tomorrow, continuing their push toward the playoffs.

All of Wright's 50-game experience will need to be utilised too in order to get over the line, with devastating news on Cam Eyre's season-ending injury.

Eyre has been forced out for the last three games after suffering an ACL (knee) injury in Northland's 31-20 loss to Taranaki last Thursday.

For Wright that means a need to rise even more in what will be a special night for him - not that it'll worry him after bringing plenty of energy and excitement to the table already.

Eyre's injury means Dan Pryor will assume the captaincy, although coach Derren Witcombe believes it doesn't really matter who is the on-field side. Witcombe feels all in the squad have proven to be leaders in their own right - although he agrees Eyre is particularly inspirational on the field.

"Cam is going to stay completely in our environment," Witcombe said, adding the injury was a nuisance but not something which would hurt their form.

"We definitely want [Eyre] involved because he's a good leader and we're expecting, just like the Taranaki game, people to step up and play with a lot of ticker."

Eyre's exit from the starting line-up means aggressive Hora Hora lock Miracle Tulua gains his first start - and third cap.

Injury has forced another change to the starting side with Wright's propping partner, Namatahi Waa, dropping out and Mid Western's Willgriff John stepping up.

Witcombe hopes Waa's injury will only be for one game, adding the youngster has justified his selection this season. "He's made some big shifts this year. Coming back home and getting into a semi-professional environment, he's made a lot of shifts.

"He's good in the contact area and in the ruck - he's playing out of position and doing remarkably well for us."

Warren Dunn is promoted from the bench to start, swapping with Troy Gilbert, while Filipo Nakosi gets a start after being out since the win against Wellington nearly a month ago. Nakosi's return is at the expense of Ume Fosita, who joins the bench. Also on the bench are debutantes Dane Rawiri and Jaycob Matiu, who have been added to the squad as cover for Waa and Eyre.

Rawiri and Matiu's promotion into the Taniwha team is a continuation of Witcombe and co's policy to pick from other Northland representative teams when injury strikes.

Taniwha
Ross Wright
Matt Moulds
Willgriff John
Shane Neville
Tom Murday
Miracle Tulua
Kara Pryor
Dan Pryor (c)
Tane Takulua
Dan Hawkins
Jone Macilai
Warren Dunn
Brook Gilmore
Filipo Nakosi
Matt Wright
Reserves: Howard Sililoto, Dane Rawiri, Michael Stolberg, Jaycob Matiu, Kurt Davies, Ume Fosita, Troy Gilbert.