Waikato should be wary of Wellington's poor form

Waikato first five-eighth Stephen Donald (left) will be up against Wellington's Jimmy Gopperth. Picture / Martin Sykes

Waikato should ignore Wellington's rusty form of the last fortnight and peer into the record books ahead of their clash in Hamilton tonight.

They will find Wellington have won the last three clashes between the two first division giants - including two semifinals - and will aim to use Waikato as a springboard to find form after losing to North Harbour and Otago in the capital.

Tamati Ellison comes in at second five-eighths and Brendan Haami is restored at halfback, but that's the extent of coach John Plumtree's tinkering.

Waikato coach Warren Gatland has made several changes after a comfortable win over Northland.

Special interest will be on the match-up between Stephen Donald and Jimmy Gopperth at first five-eighths.

Donald has made significant strides this year, while Gopperth is regularly touted as a player with a bright future.

Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury lead the table. If all three bag bonus-point wins this weekend, it could open a split at the top, with as many as five teams in pursuit.

Auckland visit Bay of Plenty on Sunday, aiming to prevent the Bay claiming a third successive win. Both had tight one-point victories last weekend, Auckland over Southland, the Bay against Taranaki.

Jeffrey Ierome is in for Hayden Reid at centre in the only Bay change. Auckland name their side today, with coach Pat Lam positive about progress.

"While last weekend got a bit tight towards the end, we got across the line and that was the important thing," Lam said.

Canterbury will defend the Ranfurly Shield against Taranaki tomorrow with the same team - allowing for a bracket of captain Reuben Thorne and Hayden Hopgood at blindside flank - who drew in highly unconvincing fashion with North Harbour last week.

Taranaki have a host of changes, but retain a durable, competitive tight five for the trip south.

North Harbour have lost first five-eighths Tusi Pisi for several weeks, with a torn hamstring, and halfback Junior Poluleuligaga, with a calf strain, for the visit of Northland on Sunday. The Harbour team will be finalised today, with Jon Elrick and either Ben Meyer or Craig McGrath likely to fill the vacancies. Northland have brackets throughout the line-up as coach Bruce Hodder ponders how to arrest a depressing 0-from-3 start.