Battling for the rewards of living in the first division

By DAVID LEGGAT


Twenty-four hours out from the biggest game in Nelson Bays' rugby history coach Wayne Love was doing his job, boning up on today's opponents, Northland.

Right? Wrong. It was Love's turn to tidy up the union office, so it was out with the broom and rubbish bin.

In any case there's not much more the amiable Love, in his first year in charge, can do to prepare his team for the NPC promotion-relegation game at Trafalgar Park.

Nelson Bays won the second division title for the first time since 1999 last weekend, but will still be up against it when perennial first division cellar dwellers Northland come calling in a late run to hold onto first division status.

Northland haven't won an NPC game since October 2002 but they have had a fortnight off and having played at a significantly higher standard all season are favourites.

It is a critical game for both unions, who have their eyes on a place in the mooted 12-team premier in 2006. Being in the first division next year will be a big advantage when the Rugby Union looks at the prospective candidates.

"Our union have been pretty proactive in that respect," Love said. "They are planning to be in the premier division and we know it's an opportunity for us.

"I don't think it's something that's preyed on the players' minds. We're just focused on one game; it's short term progress, although we have a long-term goal."

So how does last week's championship win over Hawkes Bay compare with victory today?

Love admitted last week was "something special" but he reckons what a win will mean today is best left to the crystal ball gazers.

Northland took some ghastly first division beatings this season.

Tonight's finalists, Canterbury and Wellington, and Taranaki all put more than 60 points on the board against them. Even battling Southland sailed past 50.

Still, goalkicking first five-eighth Julian Huxley has returned from Queensland for the game and Northland have a spread of players like Tim Dow, Tim Henwood, Hayden Taylor and captain Jared Going who are familiar with the heat of first division.

They know what is needed and that should be enough to hold off the spirited upstarts from the Top of the South. If it's not, then there can't be any complaints.


NPC fixtures, results and standings
Division One | Division Two |