Northland's "Mr Versatile" Lachie Munro is prepared to give his fifth backline position of the season - playing at second five-eighth - his best shot this weekend if he is required to start there against Counties-Manukau.
The utility back has played fullback, first five-eighth and on both wings for the team
this season but he may be required to cover inside centre, if Aaron Bancroft fails his fitness test today.
"I've played there quite a lot for Mid Western but I've spent most of the week training on the wing, so my fingers are crossed at the moment that Aaron will be back for the weekend," he said.
If anyone can replace Bancroft it will be the adaptable Munro - he has been invaluable to the team in whatever position he has played in the ITM Cup.
Bancroft injured his ankle in the match against Southland and the injury has lingered longer than originally expected. He attended practice on Wednesday but only trained lightly.
The former Otago player was replaced in the team by Wellsford's Aden Dewes, who has fought his way back from a knee reconstruction in 2010 to replace Bancroft for the Canterbury match. Dewes picked up some minor medial ligament damage against Otago last week and is expected to be out of action for two to three weeks.
Prop Ross Wright is also under an injury cloud after injuring his medial ligament in the Otago match, while a couple of the players who have been carrying high workloads in the pack were also rested on Wednesday.
The return of prop Justin Davies and loose forward Joel McKenty from injury couldn't have happened at a better time for Northland but both players are short of match practice and coach Bryce Woodward will have to make a decision whether they are ready.
