Moulds, Hawkins in as bench rotates

Otamatea's Matt Moulds and Dan Hawkins will play their blazer games for the Taniwha today, as Northland look to claim a hat-trick of ITM Cup wins when they face Southland at 4.35pm in Invercargill.

While Moulds and Hawkins will both start, there are eight changes around them with coach Derren Witcombe rotating the bench after a short turnaround from Wednesday's 40-23 win over Otago.

The changes have given Waipu speedster Dan McCully his first Taniwha cap on the right wing, while Willgriff John, Michael Stolberg, Kara Pryor, Kurt Davies, Vili Tahitu'a, and Warren Dunn all get their first starts of the season.

For Davies, Stolberg, and Pryor, it is their first start in a Taniwha jersey - adding to the special nature of the clash.

Also moving into the starting line-up is Ume Fosita, who moves on to the left wing in place of Jone Macilai.

As a result of the changes, several frontline players have moved on to the bench so expect the Taniwha to finish strong this afternoon.

Try-scoring prop Namatahi Waa has moved to the bench along with Shane Neville, Dan Pryor, Tane Takulua, Troy Gilbert, and Whiria Meltzer. Holding his place on the bench is prop Howard Sililoto.

The Taniwha's coach, Derren Witcombe, said that the short turnaround was not an issue, instead it was something he and assistant coach George Konia had planned for.

Going for three
Taniwha vs Southland, 4.35pm, Invercargill, today.

Northland: Ross Wright, Matt Moulds, Willgriff John, Michael Stolberg, Tom Murday, Jack Ram, Kara Pryor, Cam Eyre, Kurt Davies, Dan Hawkins, Ume Fosita, Vili Tahitu'a, Warren Dunn, Dan McCully, Matt Wright. Reserves: Howard Sililoto, Namatahi Waa, Shane Neville, Dan Pryor, Tane Takulua, Troy Gilbert, Whiria Meltzer.