ITM Cup: Taniwha go for fresh legs

Northland coach Adriaan Ferris has rung the changes for tomorrow's vital ITM Cup match against neighbours North Harbour in Whangarei.

Derek Carpenter, David Hall and Cam Goodhue are back from injury but there are a number of starting players from Wednesday night's loss to Manawatu who will play against Harbour from the bench.

The importance of the game isn't lost on Ferris.

"Every game is important but what the competition - in terms of results - has shown so far is, if you slip up, the other teams are capable of taking advantage of that and winning the points," he said.

Dan Faleafa plays for the Bs this week and Justin Davies' name is also missing from the team sheet. Will Whetton gets his first start for the Taniwha, while Dan Caprice is replaced by Tui Faasisila, with Mateo Malupo also moving to the bench and Rhyan Caine getting a rare start.

Orene Ai'i returns to the starting line-up after looking lively on Wednesday night, with Faatoina Autagavaia moving to the wing.

"This is a huge game for us. Not only did we let ourselves down but we let our fans down as well and we're looking forward to rectifying that on Sunday," Ferris said.

The players were under no illusions on how difficult the challenge would be but they were focused on applying themselves to the task.

"We'll get stuck in, we were a bit lethargic on Wednesday night and maybe that was a hangover from the Waikato game - but rest assured that won't be the case on Sunday," the coach said.

The match starts at 4.35pm.

Northland: 1 Ross Wright, 2 David Hall, 3 Peni Kaufusi, 4 Jack Whetton, 5 Bryce Williams (co-capt), 6 Will Whetton, 7 Dan Pryor, 8 Cam Goodhue, 9 Rhyan Caine, 10 Ash Moeke, 11 Faatoina Autagavaia, 12 Derek Carpenter, 13 Rene Ranger (co-capt), 14 Tui Faasisila, 15 Orene Ai'i. Reserves: 16 Tone Kopelani, 17 Scott Vessey, 18 Hale T-Pole, 19 Jack Ram, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Eddie Paea, 22 Mateo Malupo.