Plenty of incentive for Umaga in derby

All Blacks centre Tana Umaga is approaching tomorrow's NPC first-division match against Taranaki in the capital as if it were a test.

That's not because of the pressure that comes from playing against their Hurricanes partners, but because the Wellington captain knows how perilous his team's NPC position is.

"We're teetering in the middle of the table and if we drop one we will make it harder for ourselves," Umaga said.

Coach Dave Rennie, who yesterday named an unchanged starting XV from last weekend's loss to Waikato, went a step further. He believed a loss tomorrow would dash Wellington's playoff hopes.

Wellington are sixth with 15 points and Taranaki three points ahead with 18, so the NPC result is important.

But the game also doubles as a Hurricanes trial with matchups throughout of players vying for positions. There is also the incentive for the Wellington players of performing well in front of Colin Cooper, the Taranaki coach who now heads the Hurricanes.

"The guys understand the importance of the game for their Super 12 aspirations," said Rennie, this year's Hurricanes backs coach.

"But that's not something we have dealt with a lot because it's the cherry at the end of the season if you play well. This match is the first step in a run of four that are very important."

Teams:

Wellington: Christian Cullen, Brad Fleming, Tana Umaga (capt), Pita Alatini, Lome Fa'atau, Riki Flutey, Jason Spice, Rodney So'oialo, Kupu Vanisi, Thomas Waldrom, Ross Kennedy, Dion Waller, Tim Fairbrother, Shane Carter, Kas Lealamanua. Res: Luke Mahoney, John Pale, Milton Ngauamo, Hemi Pou, David Holwell, Paul Steinmetz, Shannon Paku.

Taranaki: Shayne Austin, James Kerr, Bryce Robins, Matthew Harvey, Chris Woods, Mark Urwin, Brendan Haami, Chris Masoe, Neil Crowley, Brent Thompson, Reece Robinson, Paul Tito (capt), Gordon Slater, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn. Res: Daniel Smith, Jason Hooper, Scott Breman, Cory Holdaway, Mepi Faoagali, John Stewart, Denning Tyrell.

Referee: Paul Honiss (Waikato). Kickoff: 2.35pm tomorrow.

- NZPA