Rugby: Tasman targeted by Taniwha

Tighthead prop Scott Vessey believes the Taniwha can build on their win against North Harbour and account for Tasman in their next ITM Cup match.

The former Canterbury player should know - he played a warm-up match for the province once and as many as four of his Christchurch club team will line up against Northland on Sunday.

He said their strength lies in their outside backs and loose forwards and defence will again be paramount for the Taniwha if they want to win the match.

The 26-year-old is acquitting himself well in his second season for the Taniwha. When he came off the bench against North Harbour on Sunday, the scrum improved immediately and his tackling stood out.

He said Tasman will be fatigued after three games in quick succession and that should be enough to tip the balance toward the visitors - if the Taniwha can stop making errors when in possession of the pill.

"We can't make as many mistakes as we did against Harbour - in the end got through on Ash's boot so we want to create more opportunities to score tries this week."

Vessey is back in the starting line-up this week - one of 10 changes made to the side that took the field against Harbour.

Injuries have played their part but Adriaan Ferris said he and Derren Whitcombe have selected the team that they think will cause Tasman the most problems in Blenheim.

"We looked at Tasman and tried to pick a team that would best take advantage of the vulnerabilities we saw in their team," Ferris said.

Kerikeri's Jack Ram gets his first start, with an injury cloud still over Dan Prior. Samisoni Fisilau returns at halfback with Rhyan Caine not 100 per cent, giving Mid Northern's Sonetane Takalua a chance off the bench.

Northland:

1 Pene Kaufusi 2 Ross Wright 3 Scott Vessey 4 Dan Faleafa 5 Bryce Williams 6 Hale T-Pole 7 Jack Ram 8 Cam Goodhue 9 Samisoni Fisilau 10 Ash Moeke 11 Mateo Malupo 12 Derek Carpenter 13 Rene Ranger 14 Matt Wright 15 Faatoina Autagavaia 16 Tone Kopelani 17 Justin Davies 18 Will Whetton 19 Dan Pryor/Jack Whetton 20 Tane Takalua 21 Orene Ai'i 22 Tui Faasisila