Mitre 10 Cup: Northland look to end long drought

Northland first-five Peter Breen will be looking for another strong performance when the Taniwha take on Waikato at Toll Stadium this Sunday. Photo/John Stone

As the Mitre 10 Cup enters the final stages of round robin play, both Northland and Waikato still have points to prove.

The two face off at Toll Stadium on Sunday afternoon looking to send a message.

For Northland, they want to show that they can come up with a win. Waikato will want to put their heartbreaking Ranfurly Shield defeat to Canterbury and convince everyone of their semifinal credentials.

Northland, whilst they have not won a game this season and are staring a 20th straight defeat in the face, have impressed rugby scribes with their major improvement over last year.

But all that means little if they can't find a win in at least one of their final three matches.

Waikato form the toughest of their remaining matches, with away fixtures at fellow battlers North Harbour and Southland to end a frustrating season.

Northland will be wary of Waikato's potency on attack: they rank second in clean breaks with 84 and are sixth in defenders beaten (144).

The Taniwha have struggled all season in those categories and will have to shore up their defence.

While their attack has been sound and have shown the ability to score points, they have been haemorrhaging points at a rate of 38.5 per game.

One major area that Northland need to show up in is the set piece.

Statistically, Northland have the second worst lineout and the worst scrum, both being factors in their losses.

It's not for a lack of talent, but an immediate improvement is vital to their chances of breaking their losing streak that will reach two years in three days time.

All hope isn't lost though. If Northland can make sure they defend well, they have a better ability to score than Waikato.

With a potent backline led by Sam Nock and Solomon Alaimalo, Northland have showed no sign of struggle with ball in hand.

If you add the efforts in the pack by Kara Pryor, Matt Matich and Josh Goodhue, you have a side better than a winless record.

But potential doesn't ease the aches of the faithful fans, who desperately want to see their team ahead when the full time siren blares.

Kick off for the contest is at 4:35pm this Sunday.

A Look At The Rivalry
Played: 73 from 1926-2013 (DNP 2014-15) Northland wins: 26 Waikato wins: 45 Draws: 2
Last match: Waikato 31 Northland 22, 17.08.13 in Hamilton
Last Northland win: Northland 29 Waikato 27, 01.09.12 in Hamilton
Biggest Northland score: 44 (44-37), 09.10.99 in Whangarei
Biggest Waikato score: 73 (73-33), 05.10.02 in Hamilton
Biggest differential: Waikato by 43 (49-6), 05.04.92 in Hamilton