Rugby: Harbour look to Woodcock

Rudi Wulf moves from wing to fullback for the game against Taranaki tomorrow night. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A backline tweak and the return of All Black prop Tony Woodcock have North Harbour hoping a corner will be turned when they play Taranaki in New Plymouth tomorrow night.

Captain Anthony Tuitavake is out, having had an MRI scan and cortisone injection for a pelvic injury. Rudi Wulf switches from wing to fullback, with the previous No 15, Jack McPhee, going to the wing.

Harbour coach Craig Dowd expects Tuitavake to return next week.

"He trained with us but just couldn't run pain free. It was touch and go but it was giving him too much grief, so we go with the guys who are 100 per cent ready," Dowd said.

Wulf, who had a couple of appearances at fullback for the Blues this year, fancies a crack at the position longer term and Dowd backs the four-test All Black to provide greater communication, which he believes the backline needs.

Woodcock is having his first start for Harbour in two years and has helped raise standards and expectations.

"He's wanting to train to his standards and everyone in the forward pack has had to meet that. He'll be a real asset," Dowd said.

Since beating Canterbury in round one of the Air New Zealand Cup, North Harbour have lost four successive games. They sit second bottom and the clock is starting to tick for those eyeing semifinal places at the end of October.

Dowd doesn't doubt the effort going in, but bemoaned his team's failure to grasp opportunities. Seeing the players hurting in the dressing room is no bad thing, in his book.

"We've been very conscious something like that [a losing streak] could happen and we've focused on staying positive. At the end of the day we're close," Dowd added.

Taranaki, after a tight 12-10 win over Manawatu, have brought backup first five-eighths Jack Cameron in at fullback, and Laurence Corlett returns to hooker in place of All Black Andrew Hore.

* Retirement was shortlived for Northland veteran David Holwell. The first five-eighths is on the bench for tonight's trip to Southland. Flanker Roy Griffin comes in for Matt Clutterbuck at flanker.

Second-placed Southland have All Black halfback Jimmy Cowan among their reserves, his brother Scott starting the match in the No 9 jersey.

Taranaki have had just one game at home, a 24-all draw with Hawkes Bay.

"It feel like we haven't played at home this year," captain and prop Tony Penn said.

* Counties-Manukau could do with a break right now, bottom of the table, one win from five and hosting Wellington tomorrow night. However, they have been clobbered by injuries, with seven players unavailable, including five from last weekend's 30-8 loss to Waikato. The most significant is pacy winger Lelia Masaga, who has a troublesome shoulder injury.

Centre Siale Piutau (knee), halfback Samisoni Fisilau (shoulder), prop Simon Lemalu (groin) and hooker Matt Holloway (facial injuries) are gone from the 22 to face Wellington.

* Troubled wing Lucky Mulipola has been loaned by Otago to Tasman. Mulipola has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault with intent to injure. His bail conditions have been changed to tie in with his move to Tasman but a trial date has not been set.

Last year Mulipola completed community work and was ordered to pay $5000 emotional harm reparation after assaulting a man in Dunedin.

Invercargill, 7.35 tonight

SOUTHLAND
Mark Wells
Matt Saunders
Kenny Lynn
Jason Kawau
Tony Koonwaiyou
Seminar Manu
Scott Cowan
Noa Soqeta
Tim Boys
John Hardie
Joe Tuineau
Josh Bekhuis
Chris King
David Hall
J. Mackintosh (c)

NORTHLAND
Jared Payne (c)
Brook Gilmore
D. Fakafanua
Derek Carpenter
Rene Ranger
Lachie Munro
Rhyan Caine
Cameron Eyre
Joel McKenty
Roy Griffin
Cam Jowitt
Daniel Goodwin
Karl Haitana
Mikaele Tuu'u
Bronson Murray

Southland: Jason Rutledge, Fai Mika, Dave Gannon, Hua Tamariki, Jimmy Cowan, John Dodds, Glen Horton

Northland: Tim Dow, Matt Wallis, Michael Farmer, Matt Clutterbuck, Luke Hamilton, David Holwell, Jon Elrick

New Plymouth, 7.35pm tomorrow

TARANAKI
Jack Cameron
Ed Jenkins
Nathan Hohaia
Jayden Hayward
Shayne Austin
Willie Ripia
Brett Goodin
Jarrad Hoeata
Scott Waldrom
Johnny Willis
Craig Clarke
Jason Eaton
Shane Cleaver
Laurence Corlett
Tony Penn (c)

NORTH HARBOUR
Rudi Wulf
Jack McPhee
George Pisi
Andrew Mailei
Ken Pisi
Ben Botica
Chris Smylie
Viliame Ma'afu
Tom Chamberlain
Chris Smith (c)
Filo Paulo
James King
Michael Reid
Michael Mayhew
Tony Woodcock

Taranaki: James Hinchco, Michael Bent, Leon Power, Ben Souness, Bayden Phillips, Chris Barron, Paul Perez

North Harbour: James Hanson, Ben Afeaki, Richard Mayhew, Malakai Ravulo, Matt France, Hayden Abercrombie, Josh York