Rugby: Time to switch it on

If Rene Ranger is the rock star of the Northland team then Dan Caprice is its Britpop version.

The English sevens star is back in the starting line-up for tonight's must-win match against Southland in Invercargill, after playing an important cameo in last Sunday's game against Taranaki.

Caprice showed how footwork and speed can trump power to get over the line. Coming on as a late second-half replacement, the winger made the most of a half-chance seen by Hale T-Pole to score a try to get Northland back in the game.

The 22-year-old Kent native realises that at just 1.73m and around 83kg, he doesn't always fit the physical description of a winger in New Zealand.

"I always get those sorts of comments. Wingers these days are a lot bigger than they used to be but there's still room for smaller players on the pitch.

"You just have to front up like everyone else does and make your tackles," he said. "I like to think I can add something a bit different with my speed and my footwork and show that there may be an advantage in catering to different sizes and shapes in the game."

Caprice picked up a shoulder injury in the win against Waikato and after regaining full fitness has struggled to get back into the side.

No matter how it goes tonight, he hasn't regretted signing for Northland.

"I was looking to get out of my comfort zone a little and play more 15s, so my manager and I started looking around for something different to do and a lot of people said that playing in New Zealand would do me some good because they play a different style of rugby.

"I'm enjoying myself out here; all the lads have been welcoming and the rugby's of a very good standard so I'm pretty happy."

The team are still looking for consistency and Caprice hopes they can switch it on for Southland. The return of Ash Moeke from injury will certainly help. The first five-eighths was sorely missed against Taranaki and is one of eight changes tonight to the starting line-up from that match.

Hooker David Hall starts against his old province, with Ross Wright moving to loosehead and Justin Davies at tighthead. T-Pole -- is back on the blindside, while Samisoni Fislau starts at halfback and Tui Fa'asasila gets a start at left wing.