Northland put faith in winger Baigent

1.00pm

Utility back Aaron Baigent has been named on the wing for Northland's opening NPC rugby match against Otago in Dunedin on Saturday.

Baigent -- who has waited several seasons to gain representative honours -- features in part of a radically redesigned Northland backline after the arrival of Australian import Julian Huxley sparked a rethink by the coaching staff yesterday.

Captain Jared Going and Northland centenarian Hayden Taylor will play second five-eighths and centre respectively, with speedster Matt Faleuka pushed to fullback.

It is a risky experiment, but a signal from Northland backs coach Mark Seymour that the midfield defence in particular has been disappointing in pre-season games this year.

It will certainly add a challenging perspective to Baigent's starting debut.

"I try not to put pressure on myself so I haven't really thought about it in that way. I learnt not to put that sort of pressure on myself playing for the (Northland) Bs last year," he said.

"We know what we want to do, and will concentrate on doing that."

Northland head coach Bruce Hodder has also made some tight calls in the forwards.

Tim Dow gets the start at hooker ahead of Simon Lemalu and Aaron Wright slots in at openside flanker in front of Luke Ottley.

Against an Otago team loaded with Super 12 experience and former All Blacks Carl Hoeft and Anton Oliver in the front row, the match looms as an early test of Northland's character.

Northland's last two visits to Otago's home ground at Carisbrook in Dunedin have resulted in hefty one-sided victories to Otago.

It is a difficult arena to face a fresh Otago squad keen to make an early impact on the NPC, but an opportunity for Northland to make an early stand as well.

"I guess our problem is that we have attacked well from broken play but our set-piece play, attacking and defensively, has not gone well," Hodder said.

"I think this backline gives us three individuals with experience and good ball-handling skills. "Defensively, they (Huxley, Taylor and Going) are not big hitters, but they are experienced enough to stay in a system."

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.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)