If the Taniwha want to beat Canterbury tonight they're going to have to pull out that perfect performance they've been promising all season but have never quite produced.
Will Whetton says Northland will have to keep hold of the ball going forward and keep discipline at all times if they are to beat the competition's heavyweights.
"You can't win without the ball and a high calibre team like Canterbury won't give us too many chances to score if we continue to let errors and lapses of concentration creep into our game," he said.
Deputising for the injured Cam Goodhue, Whetton will start at No8 for the second week in a row after playing well at Mount Maunganui. The 23-year-old is really enjoying the chance to get some regular game time in the ITM Cup.
"This is what I came up for and this week will be a good test for me because they don't come much better than Canterbury. They're the benchmark of the competition, they're clinical and they all do their jobs pretty well," he said.
"The trick is not to worry about them; rather we have to play our own game the best we can.
"When Northland plays its natural game we're dangerous from all around the park - so if everybody concentrates on doing their own job right then we'll have a shot."
Discipline is the other area that has dogged the Taniwha with David Hall's pointless sinbinning last weekend proving the turning point in an otherwise tight game.
"We've got to remember to trust each other when we're under pressure particularly when the referee has already warned us ... sure there were some harsh calls against us during that game but once the ref has decided to call it that way, he's not likely to change his mind."
Whetton said discipline will be even more important this week with Canterbury kicker Tom Taylor in exceptional form in their 84-0 romp over Southland last week.
"He'll punish us from anywhere within range so we've got to be disciplined from the start," he said.
With Northland already out past $7 for a win at the TAB, it will be a brave man to back them but cheered on by what should be a boisterous Friday night crowd, the Taniwha aren't ready to roll over in this year's ITM Cup just yet.
The team welcomes back one of their best with Derek Carpenter returning after a week out injured. Toni Kopelani also returns but the injury list is still long with Wellsford's Cole Campbell called in as cover from the Bs, while Rhyan Caine is on the bench as outside back cover.
Northland
1 Ross Wright 2 Tone Kopelani 3 Pene Kaufusi 4 Hale T-Pole 5 Jack Whetton 6 Dan Faleafa 7 Dan Prior 8 Will Whetton 9 Samisoni Fisilau 10 Ash Moeke 11 Mateo Malupo 12 Derek Carpenter 13 Rene Ranger (capt) 14 Matt Wright 15 Faatoina Autagavaia; Reserves: 16 David Hall 17 Justin Davies 18 Cole Campbell 19 Jack Ram 20 Tane Takalua 21 Orene Ai'i 22 Rhyan Caine.