Reminder for Northland

By CHRIS RATTUE

Northland's history-making players will have some trouble isolating themselves from the jubilation that followed their win over Auckland in the NPC last week.

But they have been reminded of their own pledge before the campaign started that they would not allow the euphoria of victory to affect them in the following week.

Second-place North Harbour lie in wait at Albany on Saturday afternoon, and Northland coach Bryce Woodward believes his side still have a chance of making the semifinals.

The 44-43 win at Eden Park was Northland's first over Auckland since 1973, three years before a national rugby championship was introduced.

It ended generations of despair in a province that regards sporting heaven as victory over Auckland.

Midfield back Brad Miller revealed after the win that he had endured years of listening to his uncles, the great Going trio of Sid, Brian and Ken, talking about how their teams had beaten Auckland, including at Eden Park.

And they wondered why succeeding teams had been unable to repeat those feats.

Miller does not have to worry about those comments any more, and many of the congratulatory words to Woodward and the team have come from past players, including 1983 All Black lock Alastair Robinson, who went through their careers without a victory over Auckland.

Woodward has received more than 20 congratulatory calls, including the one from Robinson.

And the players, who celebrated the win hard, will have little chance to isolate themselves from the back-slapping.

Apart from captain Glenn Taylor and Fijians Vula Maimuri, Rupeni Caucaunibuca and Fero Lasagavibau, the rest - including Woodward - hold down other jobs.

"Everyone loves to see the minnows beat Auckland, and it won't have just been Northlanders celebrating," Woodward said. "The response around Northland has been unbelievable. Some players have been getting many more phone calls than I have. It's hard not to over-celebrate.

"But in May it was the players themselves who raised as an issue the problem of over-celebrating and not focusing on the next game, and we have reminded them of that.

"Personally, the win over Auckland was just five more championship points. I believe we can still make the top four, but we'll need maximum points from our last three games.

"The so-called experts reckon Taranaki are still in the hunt. We're six points behind them, but they've got a bye, then matches against Canterbury and Otago."

If Northland could upset North Harbour, then that unlikely semifinal dream might be back on. Their final two games are at home to Southland and away to Bay of Plenty - where four-try victories are more likely than against most opponents.

Woodward said he was expecting a far more hard-nosed approach from Buck Shelford's North Harbour than his team found against Auckland.

He was surprised Auckland turned down penalty shots at goal in the second half when they held a good lead.

"I was staggered they didn't close the game up. I can't imagine North Harbour doing the same - there would be a bit of steam coming out of the grandstand if they did."