Northland coach nervous about NPC opener

1.00pm

Bruce Hodder is nervous about his first game as Northland's national provincial (NPC) rugby coach.

His team meet Otago at Carisbrook tomorrow in the first round of the first division competition.

"I'd have to say that yes, I am a bit nervous, but I know that I have a job to do and part of that job is to make sure these players are ready for the task," Hodder said.

It has been a stiff challenge for Hodder since he arrived in Northland early this year and started rebuilding a team that finished the championship last season winless and at the foot of the table.

But since announcing his first training squad of more than 50 players, Hodder and his assistant Mark Seymour has slowly developed a new side.

Emphasising the need for a new style of backline play and a distinctive brand of forward expertise, Hodder has finally cut down his squad to 27 players.

There are some additions to come, through the loan system out of Auckland, but for now the emphasis is on local players bolstered by the arrival of Australian Julian Huxley.

So tomorrow's team sport six players in the starting team making their NPC debut, and another four set to debut off the bench.

Against an Otago team laced with big game experience leaves Hodder in no doubt about the challenge ahead.

"The positive side of that is that they (Otago) know nothing about us.

"Apart from losing our warm-up games by 30-point margins and rumbling away from an aged invitation team they will have no idea," Hodder said.

"I mean in a way it is set up for a classic upset. What better chance is there than on the opening weekend of the championship," Hodder said.

"There have been really good elements in all of our warm-up games. Now it is about accuracy."

Otago have named a strong team despite a long list of injuries impacting on selection.

Halfback Danny Lee makes his return after a long lay-off but two players who will not be considered are wings Matt Saunders and Neil Brew.

Brew is still two or three weeks away from playing after straining a hamstring and Saunders underwent an MRI scan in Christchurch today on his troublesome lower back.

New prop Craig Dunlea, primarily a tighthead prop, will partner Carl Hoeft and Anton Oliver in the front row.

Northland: Matt Faleuka, Fero Lasagavibau, Hayden Taylor, Aaroin Baigent, Jared Going (captain), Julian Huxley, John Senio, Jake Paringatai, Aaron Wright, Tim Henwood, Brad Taylor, Mesake Davu, Ryan Wederall, Tim Dow, Bronson Murray. Reserves: Simon Lemalu, Luke Ottley, Stan Wright, Karl Christensen, Thomas Toailoa, Josh Levi, Rhyan Caine.

Otago: Glen Horton, Aisea Tuilevu, Jason Shoemark, Ryan Nicholas, Hayden Pedersen, Mathew Berquist, Danny Lee, Sam Harding, Josh Blackie, Warren Smith, Uili Koloofai, Filipo Levi, Craig Dunlea, Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft. Reserves, Jason Macdonald, Jeremy Aldworth, Grant Webb, Tom Harding, Shaun Webb, Jason Kawau Edition.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)

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