Crunch time in far south

No one needs to tell Southland coach Phil Young how important tomorrow's f first division clash against Northland is.

A win would give the former forestry manager three victories in his debut season leading a first division team. But a loss would mean the relegation axe drops a couple of centimetres closer to the collective necks of his young outfit.

With so much emotion surrounding the game, Young has worked hard to keep his team focused this week.

"The guys are obviously eager and, without over-boiling the pot, we've tried to keep a balance by keeping them relaxed."

He said the biggest danger would be to concentrate solely on the attacking abilities of Northland's electric wingers, Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Fero Lasagavibau. " We can't just concentrate on those two guys."

The Taniwha had teeth throughout their lineup, Young said, including former New Zealand Colts captain Jason Shoemark at second-five eighths and a forward pack that sweated Super 12 experience.

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Northland coach Bryce Woodward said the way his team had trained this week they could take little confidence heading into the union's biggest game in years.

"Our training runs have been very average and concerning, to be honest.

"I'm not getting too disconcerted, but we certainly haven't trained well this week."

Teams:

Southland: Richard Newman, Bryan Milne, Hayden Martine, Seremaia Bai, Roy Hawker, Ashley Barron, Jimmy Cowan, Paul Miller, Ben Herring, Hale T-Pole, Daniel Quate, Steve Jackson, Clarke Dermody, David Hall, Keith Cameron. Res: Jason Rickard, Brett Roberts, Andrew McClintock, Iona Sipa, Jason Harrison, Pailate Fili, Anthony Lafaiali'i or Norman Ligairi.

Northland: Rhyan Caine, Fero Lasagavibau, Jason Hita, Jason Shoemark, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Hayden Taylor, Sam Pinder, Brett Waaka, Aaron Wright, Vula Maimuri, Glenn Taylor, Brent Dale, Tim Knight, Derren Whitcombe, Mike Storey, Res: Jason Hammond, Bronson Murray, Brad Taylor, Tim Henwood, Lee Peina, Noel Edwards, Robbie Johnson.

Referee: Steve Walsh (North Harbour). Kickoff: 2.35pm.