Taniwha eye Blues skies

WELCOME RETURN: Northland's Waisea Lawbuka will return to the Taniwha lineup to take on Counties Manukau after recovering from a lower calf injury.PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES

A CHANCE to perform in front of new Blues head coach Tana Umaga will have many of the Taniwha on edge tonight.

Despite being poised to take over from former Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan, Umaga said his gaze remained firmly set on performing his provincial duties before grasping the Blues' reigns.

"First and foremost I'm here for Counties," Umaga said.

"We've got other coaches and selectors coming up for this game and they'll be the ones watching with a bit more intent.

"I'll just be, primarily, watching the Counties guys and making sure we're doing the best we can."

Northland head coach Richie Harris noted the opportunity for his players to solidify themselves as worthy signings was a good occasion to step up.

"We told the Blues we didn't have a problem with him coming up with his Blues hat on," Harris said. "It's obviously a good chance for the Northland boys to present right in front of him."

Asked whether a few more Northland players could edge their way into the 2016 Blues squad, Umaga said, "It's up to them.

"It's tough when you're struggling and you're not getting wins and your team's not going that well, so it pays to try and play well and get the wins on the board - that's when you get seen most."

With injury clouds hanging over both Northland and Counties Manukau this season, a cloud of another form has lingered in almost all of the matches played by both provinces this year.

"We've just seen no luck and I know it's the same with Northland - we just don't seem to have the weather," Umaga said of the potential drizzle forecast for tonight's encounter. "We go to these places that are renowned for sunny weather and the rain seems to be following us around.

"Obviously the conditions dictate the game so we'll just have to see how we adjust to that."

Another union down on their luck, both sides sit bottom of their respective tables.

With Northland hunting their first win and Counties looking to remain in the ITM Cup premiership, tonight's game presents a fitting opportunity for both to rise to the challenge.

"With unions like ours we don't have the depth that others have," Umaga said.

"You might have a big squad but for us it's the players that understand this level and how many of those that you have. That's just part and parcel of what we have to deal with as a smaller union.

"We're a bit like the Northland team I think, we can all do better but with injuries and form and things like that, it is what it is.

"We've trained as well as we have in previous weeks and now it's about getting out on the field and putting on the field."

Kick-off, at Toll Stadium, is at 7.35pm.

Northland: Howard Sililoto, Matt Moulds (c), Namatahi Waa, Josh Goodhue, Michael Stolberg, Jaycob Matiu, Kara Pryor, Dan Pryor, Sam Nock, Dan Hawkins, Jone Macilai, Troy Gilbert, Dave Thomas, Jordan Hyland, Mathew Wright. Reserves: Jordan Hyland, Ross Wright, Matt Talaese, Sean Sweetman, Taniela Manu, Kurt Davies, Waisea Lawbuka, Filipo Nakosi.

Counties Manukau: Pauliasi Manu, Gafatasi Su'a, Sam Aiono, Sikeli Nabou, Viliame Rarasea, Jordan Taufua (c), Sam Henwood, Maama Vaipulu, Richard Judd, Piers Francis, Sam Vaka, Johnny Fa'auli, Cardiff Vaega, Frank Halai, Toni Pulu. Reserves: Michael Lea, Sean Bagshaw, John Tungafasi, Harry Fitzsimmons, Dan Hyatt, Pele Cowley, Willy Walker, Sione Fifita.