Northland v Hawkes Bay - Payne to lead final attack

Strong defence will be the key in tonight's game, but don't expect the Taniwha to go into their shell - they'll be looking to strike against the Magpies whenever they can.
After being forced to make several changes to their starting line-up due to injury, coach Bryce Woodward has selected Lachie Munro as fullback and moved the team's most potent attacking force, Jared Payne, into centre.
The change will allow Payne to get his his hands on the ball more often and give the side more attacking punch from midfield.
The switch was trialled last week against Waikato and worked well, with Payne filling the gap left by the season-ending injury to Rene Ranger.
Munro, no stranger to fullback after playing there for most of his career, impressed with his tactical kicking from the deep last week and said the more attacking game - if they  could keep it up for 80 minutes -  gave the side a better chance of beating Hawke's Bay.
"It's worked really well for us over the past few weeks, except maybe against Wellington, when we ran out of gas at the end a little, the boys are enjoying playing that way and I think it helps us get up for the games and enjoy it while we're out there," he said.
The Mid-Western first-five said the team, despite their six-day turnaround, were planning to "turn it on" for the last match of the season, and a lot was expected from the captain.
"The way he uses his feet when he comes into the line is dangerous wherever you put him on the park - and at centre he is used more - so that will work well for us when we look to move the ball," Munro said.
The switch is a positive focus because elsewhere in the side, the news has been sobering.
Woodward has been forced to bring Steve Baker and John Cocker up from the development XV to cover injuries to their forward pack. Baker will cover for missing locks Cam Jowitt (concussion) and Pat O'Connor (hamstring), while Cocker will cover for Roy Griffin, who moves to lock from blindside.
Woodward was hopeful prop Bronson Murray would make it into the side after missing the last two games, but that option was quickly ruled out after yesterday's captain's run. With six forwards on the injury list, they will need to play out of their skins to get enough possession for the backs to threaten an impressive Magpies team.
The coach has picked his best defensive unit to combat what he expects to be a tough challenge from the visitors.
"Clearly, they're a bloody good side and are tremendous at the breakdown, which is one of the reasons we took John Cocker into the side over other members of the B team, he's very good in the contact area," Woodward said.
The new players are both experienced at this level, but will find the change in pace challenging - especially with the mandate from the coach that players can't afford to miss their tackles tonight. "This group is pretty keen to play well in their final game together. If you look at their willingness to work hard and be accurate based on last week's game ... if we can attack like that again and get over the short turnaround then there's no reason why we can't win," he said.
There is still plenty to play for. If they win, Northland may rise to as high as tenth on the table but first and foremost, Woodward said, they want to win at Okara Park for their loyal fans.
The Magpies team is virtually the same as the one that almost beat Canterbury. Jason Kupa returns from injury and replaces new All Black Zac Guildford on the left wing. Prop Clint Newland is doubtful with a shoulder injury and is bracketed with Jodi Allen. Both Jason Shoemark and George Naoupu have been hit with the flu this week but should recover in time.
 Northland: 1 Matt Wallis, 2 Mikaele Tuu'u, 3 Karl Haitana, 4 Dan Goodwin, 5 Roy Griffin, 6 Eroni Gadolo, 7 Matt Clutterbuck, 8 Cameron Eyre, 9 Rhyan Caine, 10 David Holwell, 11 Damien Fakafanua, 12 Derek Carpenter, 13 Jared Payne, 14 Simon Munro, 15 Lachie Munro. Reserves: 16 Tim Dow, 17 Ross Wright, 18 Steve Baker, 19 John Cocker, 20 Luke Hamilton, 21 John Elrick, 22 Nick Collins.
Hawke's Bay: 1 Sona Taumalolo, 2 Hika Elliot, 3 Clint Newland/Jodi Allen, 4 George Naoupu, 5 Ross Kennedy, 6 Michael Johnson, 7 Karl Lowe, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 9 Chris Eaton, 10 Matt Berquist, 11 Jason Kupa, 12 Andrew Horrell, 13 Jason Shoemark (captain), 14 Nick Thomson, 15 Israel Dagg. Reserves: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Josh Keys, 18 Adam Bradey, 19 Matt Egan, 20 Dane Shelford, 21 Sam Giddens, 22 Richard Buckman.