ITM Cup: Taniwha head south for Otago match

It's all about family for this year's Northland Taniwha as they eye up their Air Zealand Cup opener against Otago tomorrow.

The side's second five-eighth Derek Carpenter said the team has bonded quickly and is keen to look after each other on and off the field.

"There are a lot of Polynesians in the team this year and we've warmed up to them as quickly as they've warmed to us and that's made us quite tight and one of our mottos is that we are a family," he said.

"If we look at each other as brothers on the field then we're going to want to help each other out and that has to help our performances and the boys have cottoned on to that this year, even more than last year."

Carpenter is in his fifth season with the team, although he missed the entire 2010 season with injury, he is revelling in the opportunity to nail down a starting spot.

"Last year was my comeback year but I've got a big shot this year with Aaron Bancroft deciding to play in France, so it's a big opportunity for me," he said.

The Mid Northern stalwart said they don't really know what to expect with the 2012 Otago team but they're expecting them to come out of the blocks quickly, especially because of the financial trouble the union has been in this year.

"We're confident but anxious at the same time, we're going to have to have a big game, it's going to be massive up front, those Southern boys like to hit the rucks and make a mess of things and they've got some strike players in their side."

Carpenter has his own challenges to prepare for playing opposite an in-form Tamati Ellison, who has been released by the All Blacks along with Adam Thompson for the game.

Northland co-captain Bryce Williams said the first game of the season is always vitally important.

"It's up to us to set the platform for the rest of the season, to show the fans what we're made of and to gauge just what we're capable of," he said.

Williams said the Taniwha played well in their two pre-season matches but had let themselves down in certain areas of defence, although they had taken that to heart and trained hard to correct those errors.

The game kicks off in Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium at 4.35pm tomorrow.

Northland. Matt Wallis, Tone Kopelani, Scott Vessey, Jack Whetton, Bryce Williams (co-capt), Hale T-Pole, Dan Pryor, Cam Goodhue, Samisoni Fisilau, Ash Moeke, Mateo Malupo, Derek Carpenter, Rene Ranger (co-capt), Tui Faasisila, Orene Ai'i. Reserves: David Hall, Peni Kaufusi, Dan Faleafa, Jack Ram, Rhyan Caine, Eddie Paea, Matt Wright.