Stakes are high for Southland

By CHRIS RATTUE

Southland will have the most to play for in the clash against Northland at Whangarei tonight.

Northland look safe from the relegation threat, but Southland could easily end up in the promotion-relegation game against the second division winners, and there is a remote chance they could be automatically relegated.

Southland will know before kickoff how fellow relegation prospects Counties Manukau and Bay of Plenty have fared in Tauranga - if the Steelers win that match and score a bonus point they will have overtaken Southland by a point.

If Counties Manukau and Southland end up equal on the points table after the final round, then points differential would be used to separate them because they drew their round two game at Pukekohe.

At the moment, Southland have a relatively small 29-point advantage over Counties Manukau.

Northland coach Bryce Woodward said his team were playing for provincial pride, and they also had to be mindful that they were not totally safe from the relegation threat.

"We've lost to North Harbour but we really want to win all our games against the other non-Super 12 bases to show that we're up there with the best of the rest. We're after five competition points in this game."

Woodward said he had yet to make up his mind on whether to apply for the vacant Chiefs coaching position. Applications close on Monday evening.