RUGBY - Northland teams counting down to the Air NZ Cup

By Sports Editor Tim Eves
It will be a bit like leaping out of the swimming pool and into the freezer, but as the Air NZ Cup rugby competition looms ever larger on the horizon Brad Taylor knows it is time to start getting serious.
Northland plays Manawatu in Palmerston North tomorrow where temperatures have been hovering in single digits with a wind-chill factor shaving off extra degrees as well. So it was wet training in Whangarei all week, and a chilly welcome awaiting at the game venue tomorrow.
But Taylor can't be distracted by such menial things as the temperature, because for the first time in many seasons Taylor's status as a sure thing when the starting team is named each week is under serious threat.
The lineout leaping lock forward has only missed one game in the last four Northland campaigns, boosting his total to the 60-game mark last season with seven starts and three appearances off the reserves bench.
But the pressure to hold down a locking berth has stepped up a notch this year with the arrival of youngster Steve Baker and the return of the well-performed former Bay of Plenty second rower Dan Goodwin.
"At least we are all getting an opportunity to have a go in the pre-season games. You can't really ask for more than that, but I'd have to say that I am looking forward to the season starting now," Taylor said.
It is the source of some pride for Taylor that he has been able to hold down his locking berth for so long now, hardly missing a beat since he busted into the team in 2001.
But last season he found himself edged out of the starting team late in the campaign and subsequently started pre-season work this year a little nervous about his prospects.
Since then, though, Taylor has impressed coach Mark Anscombe, although Taylor isn't taking faint praise from the boss too literally. Taylor has a long list of things he knows the coach is looking for, at scrum time in particular.
"We'll see how long that lasts," Taylor said when told Anscombe had been complimentary, "it only takes one game and that praise soon turns to other stuff."
Tomorrow Taylor starts with Baker in a rejigged scrum that features Tim Dow at hooker, Tony Coughlan at prop and Jake Paringatai re-installed at No.8. Goodwin will come off the bench to add power to the scrum in the second half.
David Holwell makes a welcome return at first five eighths with Dan Bowden pushed out to the No.12 spot to partner Leo Taliu at centre. The final backline symmetry has not been finalised and Bowden's work alongside Taliu will be watched closely.
Hayden Taylor is also back at fullback with midfield back Josh Levi expected to make his long awaited comeback off the bench.