Forwards fixing to do better tonight

All eyes will be on the Northland forward pack tonight as they trundle on to Nelson's Trafalgar Park needing a big performance to help the Taniwha beat Tasman and halt their slide in the ITM Cup standings.
The forwards' ability to capitalise on turnovers and attack from anywhere on the park inspired the Taniwha to make some real headway early in the competition.
However, after recording three losses in a row - and watching their chance of playing "premier" division rugby in 2011 disappear - blindside flanker Dean Budd is expecting them to step up and lead the way against a physically strong Mako side. "We had a real forward focus against Waikato and Hawke's Bay and while we delivered against Waikato, we didn't really front up at the Bay so we're taking it on our shoulders this week to do a lot better," he said.
A malfunctioning lineout was the most apparent malaise in Napier but the forwards also gave up too many turnovers and their tackling around the fringes was uncertain at times.
But for Budd, it has been the lack of fluidity in attack that has really hurt them over the last few weeks. "We need to regain our confidence and our ability to throw the ball around like we have been and get back to the game we were playing. We know we have the players to beat guys one-on-one so as a team we need to get ourselves into those situations," he said.
Prop Bronson Murray believes having less pressure on them - in terms of making the top seven anyway - could now act in their favour.
"We've got nothing to lose, so we've just got to play for a bit of pride now, throw the ball around and have a bit of fun too and get back to the game we started playing earlier this season," Murray reiterated.
The prop has already signed a Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders for the 2011 season but others in the Taniwha team like Budd - who are still hopeful of attracting Super-15 contracts - there is still plenty to play for.
"It's always this time of the season where you're going to leave the strongest memories in (Super-15) coaches' minds, so as individuals we'll be looking to put our best foot forward too.
"But I think the guys feel like we owe it to ourselves and the community to finish on a high," Budd said.
Despite Budd being the top forward try-scorer in the ITM Cup competition with six tries, he can only guess if he's in with a chance to pull on a Blues jersey in next year's campaign. While his attacking skills have seen him win plaudits this season, he realises he can always improve his game. "Defence is a 'work on' for me - probably not the strongest point of my game but it's something I've been working on with the coaches because it's an area I've been exposed in a couple of times this season," he said.
He will be tested again tonight, if the Makos continue on from last week when they defeated Bay of Plenty 41-39 by keeping the ball in hand and making ground with their physicality.
Northland coach Bryce Woodward has made three changes to the team that started in the last round, giving Roy Griffin a start in place of lock Pat O'Connor, who was away training with the Australian team during the week.
Mikaele Tuu'u replaces Tim Dow as the starting hooker, with Iwi Hauraki's defensive capabilities preferred over Mateo Malupo's on the wing.
Dan Prior makes his return from injury, replacing veteran Justin Collins on the reserves' bench.
- Northland: 1 Matt Wallis, 2 Mikaele Tuu'u, 3 Bronson Murray, 4 Roy Griffin, 5 Mark Burman, 6 Dean Budd, 7 Joel McKenty, 8 Cameron Eyre, 9 Rhyan Caine, 10 David Holwell, 11 Iwi Hauraki , 12 Aaron Bancroft, 13 Jared Payne (c), 14 Simon Munro, 15 Lachie Munro. Reserves: 16 Tim Dow, 17 Ross Wright, 18 Pat O'Connor, 19 Dan Pryor, 20 Luke Hamilton, 21 Adam Clarke, 22 Mateo Malupo.