A daunting task awaits the Taniwha as the embattled side make the two-hour journey south to Eden Park to face Auckland tonight.
Taking on an Auckland side who won't be happy after losing last week's Ranfurly Shield match against Hawke's Bay by the slimmest of margins, head coach Richie Harris expects Auckland will bite back pretty hard tonight as they look to brush aside the Taniwha en route to a ITM Cup Premiership semifinal appearance.
"We've got Auckland coming up and it's really about gearing up for what they present which is a massive challenge," Harris said. "They've got a lot of individuals which cause a lot of damage ... I know the boys will bring a bit of attitude against Auckland, but either way that's going to be a beat-up which will really challenge us for the next two games."
Though Northland have suffered a fair amount of damage already this season, Harris said the squad remained upbeat - a hard image to fathom given the current points differential of -192 from their seven losses this year.
"It doesn't matter which team it is, there's always cracks in the wall. Winning teams plaster over them because they're winning, and with our results they've become more visible. Touch wood, it's been really good - they're a tight bunch. They've been hard on themselves, as has the management, but morale and tightness within the group's been really good."
