Rugby: Northland able to hold heads high

By Chris Rattue and NZPA

Northland rugby captain Glenn Taylor admits his players found it tough mixing in public last year when the side lost all nine first division games.

"It was pretty tough stepping out in public, but it was just as hard for our supporters because they lose face as well," said Taylor yesterday.

"The support, though, has been great this year even though we lost those first three games.

"The early performances against Otago and Auckland showed a bit of potential and I think the supporters were quite pleased with how we were going."

Northland got a large monkey off their back last Friday night when they beat Wellington in Whangarei, which ended a 12-game losing streak since they were promoted to the first division after the 1997 season.

Taylor says it was more a feeling of relief then triumph for the players and fans to finally get a win on the board.

"It was very tough last year and, to be honest, the chins did start to drop," said Taylor. "It's hard when you're getting beaten every week, and often by quite a bit.

"But this year we've really shown we can compete. We've got a pretty good scrum going and we're doing the basics pretty well.

"The win over Wellington really has given us a lift because it gives you the confidence to believe you can compete and win."

Northland's next assignment is against the unpredictable North Harbour at Albany this afternoon.

North Harbour have brought in a new front rower in the 24-year-old Pip Griffin. And lock Jeff Fahrensohn gets his chance to nail down a starting role following the departure of World Cup players Ian Jones and Lio Falaniko.

The 29-year-old Fahrensohn, a former top basketball player, has played just a couple of games for North Harbour.

North Harbour believe they can still make the semifinals although they would need one of the top four sides to crash in the final five rounds.

The most catchable side looks to be fourth-placed Otago, who are nine points ahead of Harbour but still have Auckland, Canterbury and Waikato to play.

However, Taylor said semifinal calculations were a long way from his side's mind. "We're doing that one-game-at-a-time thing," he said.

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Stalwart Waikato midfield back and goalkicker Matthew Cooper will start tomorrow's match against Southland in Invercargill on the bench.

Coach Kiwi Searancke said he wanted to spread the game time throughout his talented and fit squad, so Mark Ranby will partner Scott McLeod in the midfield.

Glen Jackson will take over the goalkicking. Searancke has also brought in Dave Dillon - who has been sidelined with a hand injury - as openside flanker, giving Marty Holah a rest.

Although Southland languish at the bottom of the table, coach Bob Telfer rates his team a good chance at home.

"The changes we've made to the backline are designed to compliment what has been a good season's work from the pack and I expect more of the same from them against Waikato."

But it will be a major hurdle for Southland to negotiate judging by Waikato's impressive form this season, especially at home when defending the Ranfurly Shield.

"I have a lot of respect for Southland on their home track," Searancke said.

"They're playing better than their competition points suggest and are capable of taking out one of the top ranked teams.

"I watched their game against Otago and, like many others, thought they were unlucky not to win that one."