Rugby: Excitement grows in Taniwha ranks

Taniwha coach Adriaan Ferris said while the emphasis - at least for the coaches - would be on how well the side implemented their playing systems, for the players the ITM Cup pre-season match meant the season opener against Otago in Dunedin on August 25 was a step closer.

"We've been training full-time for a couple of weeks now but I've noticed an increase in excitement this week, knowing that we've got a proper game ahead - we've spent a lot of time working our systems in training but there's no substitute for live action against quality opposition," he said.

The side Ferris named is missing some of Northland's big guns, including their only All Black, Rene Ranger, who is being rested to allow him to freshen up after a long Super-15 season.

Wellsford forward Ross Wright, with imports Hale T-Pole, Tui Faasila, David Morgan, Orene Ai'i, are also being rested, presenting opportunities for the rest of the squad.

"We've really got no major (injury) issues at the moment, just making sure guys are fully fit and available for our final pre-season game against Auckland next week," Ferris said.

But he was happy enough with tomorrow's line-up, saying he and forwards coach Derren Whitcombe were confident the squad had the depth to improve on last season's performance in their second season at the helm.

"There's a good mix of boys this year and we've been working hard but we know there's going to be big expectations about what's required from us, but from our point of view we want to focus on building on what we started last year and we're excited about getting out there and doing it," he said.

"But we don't want to get ahead of ourselves, we want to take things one game at a time and get it right."

The return of Hikurangi's Justin Davies to the bench for the game is a boost to the front-row stocks. The experienced prop has been plagued by injury throughout his representative career but was a big contributor last season and was a noticeable absentee in the training squad.

"He's been back since last week after he was able to organise his work commitments around the demands of the team," Ferris said.

Former Manawatu Turbos prop Peni Kaufusi is one of the front row additions, as is experienced Southland hooker David Hall, who hasn't lost any of his abrasive talent, as he showed in the side's hit-out at Waipu last weekend.

Jack Whetton will start at lock alongside veteran Bryce Williams and much is expected of him and his cousin William Whetton, who is bracketed with Dan Faleafa at blindside.

Faatoina Autagavaia is another new signing who adds extra flair and attacking promise to the outside backs, the Samoan international starting at centre against Harbour, while England Sevens star Dan Caprice starts on the wing.

"There seems to be a good positive energy about the squad at the moment and we're hoping to finalise combinations and see how we go in certain areas, where we're looking for improvement, before we hit the games that matter the most," Ferris said.

Kick-off tomorrow at the Mahurangi Rugby Club in Warkworth is at 3pm.

Northland

1 Matt Wallis, 2 David Hall 3 Scott Vessey, 4 Jack Whetton, 5 Bryce Williams, 6 William Whetton/Dan Faleafa, 7 Dan Prior, 8 Cam Goodhue, 9 Samisoni Fisilau, 10 Ash Moeke, 11 Mateo Malupo, 12 Derek Carpenter, 13 Faatoina Autagavaia, 14 Dan Caprice, 15 Matt Wright.

Reserves:

16 Tone Kopelani, 17 Peni Kaufusi, 18 Dan Faleafa/William Whetton, 19 Jack Ram, 20 Rhyan Caine, 21 Tane Takalua, 22 TBC, 23 Justin Davies. Excitement is building in the 2012 Northland squad before their first match together against North Harbour in Warkworth tomorrow.