Winger Simon Munro gets his opportunity to show Northland what he's got against the star-studded Counties outside backs tonight after putting it all on the line by moving north this season.
The Grammar Carlton player wanted a change of outlook after finding himself on the outer with Auckland following two games
in last year's Air NZ Cup campaign.
"He decided he wanted to come north for the opportunity and we decided that we would bring him north, but that there would have to be two injuries before he'd get a shot - and now, with Troy and Brook injured, that's happened," coach Bryce Woodward said.
Munro has been happy enough playing for the Taniwha development side but realises he has a great chance to establish himself with the senior side tonight.
"I've been going pretty well with the Bs, unfortunately we haven't had a win yet, but this is a good opportunity for me and hopefully I can make the most of it," he said.
He has his chance with Troy Woodman injured against Auckland and, when his replacement Brook Gilmore hobbled off against Southland, Munro was the next cab on the rank. Fringe Northland players Matt Wright and Maurice Cooper, were not considered for the position after having their own injury problems.
The 20-year-old knows he will be under pressure but says that having former Auckland teammate Lachie Munro around has helped to get him ready for the occasion.
"The calls are pretty similar to the Bs, and I'm staying with Lachie at the moment and he's been going over them a bit.
"It was a good chance for me to get away from home and try something different."
Different may be an understatement, with his first assignment likely to keep an eye on one of Counties speedsters Lelia Masaga and Sherwin Stowers. "They've certainly got some strike power out wide, so it should be a good opportunity and a test for me," he said.
