A convoy carrying more than 800 Taniwha supporters will head south tomorrow to cheer on the team from Kauri Country as they try to wrest the Ranfurly Shield from the Mooloo men in Hamilton.
The convoy of buses and other vehicles from Te Hapua to Kaiwaka will be joined by hundreds more Northland fans as it passes through Auckland, ensuring a solid block of the 25,500 people expected to pack Waikato Stadium will be backing the boys in Cambridge blue.
Former Northland coach and Blues assistant coach Bryce Woodward yesterday tipped All Black Rene Ranger and the rest of the Northland team were "in with a chance" against a team lacking stars on All Black duty.
"But it won't be easy," Mr Woodward he cautioned.
"I think the the Northland team is in better shape than last year. Our tight five and the X factor of Ranger in the backs will be crucial. There have been bigger upsets in world rugby than Northland beating Waikato on Saturday."