Southland: We're ready for them

Southland coach Phil Young is certain Otago will back themselves to break open his team's defence in today's much-anticipated first division clash in Invercargill.

Southland's defence was found wanting far too often for Young's liking in last weekend's 34-28 loss to Wellington, especially when All Blacks Rodney So'oialo and Ma'a Nonu took charge.

Young knows a repeat tackling display could be just as costly when the second-round clash against his team's arch-rival kicks off at 5.35pm.

"Individually, we missed too many tackles and that's an area we've obviously focused on this week," Young said yesterday.

"We've just got to be very disciplined because Otago would have looked at our game from last week and would have decided that's where they will have a crack at us, but we're ready for them."

They will need to be ready because everything except the home advantage is in the visitors' favour.

Otago are the NPC favourites and opened their campaign with a 6-3 win - albeit scratchy - against Auckland last week.

They also thrashed Southland 40-13 in a warm-up match three weeks ago and will field eight past or present All Blacks, but not prop Carl Hoeft, whose calf muscle injury ruled him out yesterday.

History will also be well and truly on Otago's side, with Southland starved of NPC success against their neighbours.

The 22-20 victory in Invercargill in 1997 was followed by an 18-18 draw in 1999, but you have to flick way back to 1977 to find Southland's only other NPC success against Otago, a 13-4 victory.

"I guess history is stacked against us a wee bit, but as a team we're not overawed by that," Young said.

"We've got a different focus. We're not happy just to come second."

Victories for Young's side are the only way to convince a success-starved Southland public that the 2003 team are any better.

Southland were unlucky not to beat Wellington and will back themselves to be competitive against Otago's powerful pack.

Their backs surprised everyone with their efforts last weekend, but there Otago will give them fewer chances.

And goalkicking will again be crucial to Southland's hopes.

Seremaia Bai and Richard Apanui missed five of their seven shots against Wellington, but will at least be familiar with the ground and wind conditions today.

Southland: Graydon Staniforth, Mana Harrison, Gavin Williams, Hayden Martine, Seremaia Bai, Richard Apanui, Jimmy Cowan, Paul Miller, Jeff Wright, Steve Jackson (capt), Daniel Quate, Hale T-Pole, Brett Roberts, Jason Rutledge, Clarke Dermody. Res: David Hall, Keith Cameron, Hoani Macdonald, Pita Wilson, Jason Harrison, James Wilson, James Jowsey.

Otago: Willie Walker, Matt Saunders, Neil Brew, Brad Fleming, Seilala Mapusua, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher, Sam Harding, Josh Blackie, Simon Maling, Filipo Levi, Kelvin Middleton (capt), Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Joe McDonnell. Res: Tom Willis, Jeremy Aldworth, Tom Donnelly, Grant Webb, Danny Lee, Aisea Tuilevu, Glen Horton.

Kickoff: 5.35pm.