Taniwha face tougher test with Auckland

Tomorrow's match will  be a  milestone for New Zealand rugby - it is the first time a national provincial championship game will be played in the northern region outside of Whangarei since 1976.
A bonus-point 29-16 win against Taranaki and a 19-14 loss to Bay of Plenty in round one  has left Northland fifth in the standings.
Northland coach Bryce Woodward said it was a similar story to 2008.
"Last year, we won our first game and then lost the second - it really depends on what we do over the next few weeks as to how our season will pan out," he said.
Northland coaching staff have selected the same starting 15 as last week to face  Mark Anscombe's Auckland boys who will be bolstered by the return of several All Blacks.
"Auckland will welcome back their All Blacks ... and the likes of John Afoa, Jerome Kaino, Joe Rokocoko and possibly Isaia Toeava add great athleticism and technical capabilities to their side," Woodward said.
Auckland  will hope to be a tougher challenge to the Taniwha this weekend. 
They crumbled against Hawke's Bay and Canterbury in the first two rounds this season, leaving them in the cellar.
Northland's dysfunctional lineout, which hindered their performance against Bay of Plenty, had improved tremendously in their second outing, but the Taniwha still had plenty of work to do at the breakdown and in defence, Woodward said.
Multiple infringements at the breakdown resulted in Taranaki gaining an early lead from penalties last Thursday.
"We have been working on those areas but we do every week regardless of whether we improved during a game or not," he said.
"The breakdown is the biggest part of the game ... we need to work on it each week."
Playing with confidence and  protecting their line contributed to Northland's win which Woodward was clearly pleased with.
But the Taniwha let Taranaki  score one try - just as they  allowed  Bay of Plenty over the line in that match. 
It is something the coach wants to rectify.
"We want to get a clean slate at some some point," Woodward said.
"But what was pleasing  was that we defended our line very well as Taranaki pushed to get a bonus point at the end of the game."
Playing at Kerikeri in front of more than 3500 fans had the Northland contingent excited, Woodward said.
Hopefully it would provide motivation to continue gathering momentum for the season.
Kick-off at the Kerikeri Domain tomorrow is at 2.35pm.
Northland: 1-Bronson Murray, 2-Tim Dow, 3-Karl Haitana, 4-Dan Goodwin, 5 Cameron Jowitt, 6-Joel McKenty, 7-Matt Clutterbuck, 8-Cameron Eyre, 9-Luke Hamilton, 10-Lachie Munro, 11-Rene Ranger, 12-Derek Carpenter, 13-Damien Fakafanua, 14-Troy Woodman, 15-Jared Payne (c). Reserves: 16-Mikaele Tuu'u, 17-Matt Wallis, 18-Daniel Faleafa, 19-Eroni Gadalo, 20-Rhyan Caine, 21-Jon Elrick, 22-Brook Gilmore. | |
Auckland: 1-Pauliasi Manu, 2-Tom McCartney, 3-John Afoa, 4-Kurtis Haiu, 5-Jay Williams, 6-Jerome Kaino, 7-Onosa'i Auva'a, 8-Peter Saili, 9-Grayson Hart, 10-Ash Moeke, 11-Dave Thomas, 12-Benson Stanley, 13-Winston Stanley, 14-Joe Rokocoko, 15-Isaia Toeava. Reserves: 16-Francis Smith, 17-Paea Fa'anunu, 18-Andrew van der Heijden, 19-Dean Budd, 20-Auvasa Faleali'i, 21-Jamie Helleur, 22-Atieli Pakalani.