Taniwha have to replace four as injuries bite

Northland have been forced to make four changes to their starting lineup through injury for tomorrow's match against Wellington at Toll Stadium.

Winger Jone Macalai is out after needing surgery on the elbow he dislocated in the final stages of Northland's draw against North Harbour last weekend.

Joining Macalai in the stands will be fellow Fijian Rupeni Caucaunibuca, who is out with a niggle, Whiria Meltzer has a high ankle strain, while Ross Wright will turn out for the B team after being knocked out against Harbour.

Coming into the side for Macalai and Caucau are Mateo Malupo and Northland B player Andrew Kavienga, backing up coaches Derren Witcombe and George Konia's policy of picking from the B team when injuries make an impact.

Northland manager Brad Te Haara said while the injuries were not ideal, the changes in the side would not affect what they were focusing on for the Wellington clash.

"I think the common theme is concentrating on our game, we showed in patches against Harbour we can score points and it's just that consistency," Te Haara said. "[Bringing in Kavienga from the Bs is the] final piece in the puzzle, in terms of direction, I think there was always going to be sceptics until someone got an injury. I think [bringing in Kavienga] will be a nail in the punters' coffin ... this is [Witcombe and Konia] following through with what they're saying.

"It reinforces that pathway that you don't need to be playing in Whangarei, and play Bs and you're the next off the ranks."

Tomorrow's match kicks off at 4.35pm.

Northland: Bronson Murray, Matt Moulds, Scott Vessey, Tom Murday, Bryce Williams, Dan Pryor, Jack Ram, Jake Paringatai, Tane Takulua, Ben Seymour, Mateo Malupo, Derek Carpenter, Rene Ranger (c), Andrew Kavienga, Matthew Wright. Reserves: Robbie Abel, Will-Griff John, Roy Griffin, Owen Pihema, Mac Sykes, Dan Hawkins, Warren Dunn.