KEY POINTS:
Southland rugby co-coach Simon Culhane makes no bones of the fact his side needs to bring their "A" game along when they take on Wellington in Friday's Air NZ Cup quarterfinal at Wellington Stadium.
"I won't go so far to say playing Wellington in Wellington holds no fears
for us," Culhane said.
"You have to look at the playing personnel they have got - it's a Super 14 side versus an Air NZ cup side."
Wellington's power base was obvious - their back three of fullback Cory Jane and wings Ma'a Nonu and Shannon Paku.
"They also have a powerful midfield in their captain Tamati Ellison and Tane Tuipulotu - big strong players who are very experienced now (from Super 14 exposure) - and a real physical forward pack.
"They are a good side and playing very well - they have real firepower to rip any team open on their night."
Southland's major strength is in their forwards who can be relied on to play with passion.
"(But) We'll need to bring that passion from one to 22 - we have to come with our A game to be competitive on the night because they are a powerful side."
Southland backs such as James Wilson, Jason Kawau and Alesana Muliaina have formed an effective backline outside halves Jimmy Cowan and Blair Stewart.
The halfback battle between Cowan and Piri Weepu, both unwanted for the World Cup, should be one of the highlights of the night.
Southland are coming off a 17-19 loss to North Harbour in their last round-robin match but Culhane dismissed that result.
"North Harbour were desperate to stay in contention for a spot in the top eight and we had a few refereeing decisions go against us.
"We are pleased to qualify to play three (Wellington) and we'll have a real crack to progress further."
Wellington head into the match after qualifying third behind Auckland and Canterbury, scoring eight wins from 10 round-robin games despite missing All Blacks Jerry Collins, Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe and Neemia Tialata in the forwards and Conrad Smith in the backs.
Losses away to Hawke's Bay and Canterbury saw their young forward pack exposed, while a stuttering 16-13 win over a poor Bay of Plenty side in the last round left them with plenty to work to do this week.
They made a number of changes to last week's team, with regulars Weepu and Jimmy Gopperth returning to the inside backs for Alby Mathewson and Miah Nikora, and Shannon Paku back on the wing for Hosea Gear.
Changes in the pack include the return of Serge Lilo to partner Api Naikatini and Thomas Waldrom in the loose forwards. Lock Jeremy Thrush is also back in the run-on team.
Southland have some injury worries after the North Harbour match but Culhane wants to give prop Jamie Mackintosh (ankle) and first five-eighth Stewart (foot) as much time as possible to recover. Mackintosh is likely to start and if Stewart is ruled out, fullback James Wilson will move to the pivotal role and Kendrick Lynn to fullback.
No 8 Hua Tamariki (sternum) is out and Fijian Noa Soqeta will take over at the back of the scrum.
"We are confident Mackintosh will be fit but if he's not, Jayden Murch will come in," Culhane said.
Wellington
Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Tamati Ellison (captain), Shannon Paku, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, Thomas Waldrom, Serge Lilo, Api Naikatini, Bernie Upton, Jeremy Thrush, John Schwalger, Luke Mahoney, Jacob Ellison.
Reserves: Dane Coles, Anthony Perenise, Fafili Levave, Tom Harding, Alby Mathewson, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Hosea gear.
Southland
James Wilson/Kendrick Lynn, Mark Wells, Jason Kawau, Phil Dawson, Pehi Te Whare, Blair Stewart/James Wilson, Jimmy Cowan, Noa Soqeta, Tim Boys, Dion Bates, Hoani Macdonald, Josh Bekhuis, Clarke Dermody, Matt Holloway, Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: David Hall, Jayden Murch, Daniel Ramsay, Iona Sipa, Willie Rickards/Mana Harrison, Lomani Tongotongo, Kendrick Lynn.
- NZPA
