Jone Macilai returns to the left wing as Northland look to consolidate a semi-final spot as they take on Mitre 10 Cup Championship leaders Wellington. Photo/Getty Images
With everything still to play for in the Mitre 10 Cup, Northland have made two changes as they look to take on Championship leaders Wellington.
Coach Derren Witcombe has named the same starting forward pack from last week's victory over Hawke's Bay but has made two changes in the backline.
Barnstorming wing Jone Macilai returns from injury and illness on the left wing in a straight swap with Matt Wright while Dan Hawkins earns a start with Peter Breen moving to the bench.
Meanwhile Jack Ram returns to the bench after an injury-enforced break, meaning Michael Faleafa drops out of the 23.
Wellington will be Northland's toughest test in 2017. The Lions have lost just once all season and recorded an emphatic 60-14 win over Canterbury early in the season.
They're coming off the back of a 61-12 over the hapless Southland, pouring on nine tries in what looked at times to be a glorified training run.
But Northland have plenty of reason to be motivated and confident.
They had a great outing during their 34-7 win over Hawke's Bay at home to catapult themselves into second position going into the final week.
The return of Macilai to the left wing adds another weapon back into their backline arsenal.
He leads the side in clean breaks and tries in what has been a strong season from the Awanui flyer.
The midfield combination of Duane Monkley Medal leader Jack Goodhue and Rene Ranger have caused plenty of headaches for opposition while Jordan Hyland has been a consistent performer on the right wing.
However, it's rising star fullback, Solomon Alaimalo, that has led the way.
The Chiefs player has played every minute of Northland's 2017 campaign and has put that game time to good use, ranking highly in several categories.
Alaimalo is in the top three for defenders beaten (40) and offloads (17), the top five for metres gained (683m) and inside the top 10 for carries (86).
But the platform has been set all season by the forward pack and their vastly improved defensive line, which will need to provide another huge effort against the hot attack of Wellington.
Wellington have an incredibly strong lineup bolstered by the return of captain Brad Shields and All Black Vaea Fifita. Add to that former All Black wing Julian Savea and impressive centre Wes Goosen and there are threats across the park.
While Northland are in prime position to make the Championship division semifinals, getting a win or at least bonus points is a necessity looking at this week's schedule.
They sit on 25 points after nine matches, with Bay of Plenty on 23, Manawatu on 22 and Otago on 21, although Manawatu have a game in hand on the rest.
If those teams' remaining games went against Northland's best interest and they get nothing from their match against Wellington, then they could find themselves on the outer.
BOP meet an out-of-sorts Waikato team next Saturday, Manawatu have a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki and a very winnable match against Hawke's Bay, while Otago should have a bonus-point win coming when they host winless Southland next weekend.
The match kicks off at 7:35pm tomorrownight.
Northland: Solomon Alaimalo, Jordan Hyland, Rene Ranger, Jack Goodhue, Jone Macilai, Dan Hawkins, Sam Nock, Matt Matich, Dan Pryor, Murray Douglas, Tim Bond, Josh Goodhue, Ropate Rinakama, Matt Moulds (c), Ross Wright.
Reserves: Jordan Olsen, Phil Kite, Chris Apoua, Jack Ram, Kara Pryor, Emil Pittman, Peter Breen, Tamati Tua.
Wellington: Trent Renata, Julian Savea, Wes Goosen, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Ben Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Brad Shields (c), Mateaki Kafatolu, Vaea Fifita, James Blackwell, Sam Lousi, Alex Fidow, Sitiveni Paongo, Tolu Fahamokioa.
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Vince Sakaria, Joe Apikotoa, Will Mangos, James Tuiatua, Carlos Price, Regan Verney, Malo Tuitama.
Playoff Picture If a team gets to 27 competition points, they are guaranteed a semi-final spot
1) Wellington (42 pts)
Next opponent: Northland
Maximum points: 47
Minimum points: 42
• Will finish first regardless of result
2) Northland (25 pts)
Next opponent: Wellington
Maximum points: 30
Minimum points: 25
• Will make the semi-finals with two points (draw or lose by seven points or less after scoring four tries)
• To get a home semi, Northland either need to win and hope Manawatu lose at least one of their last two games or lose and hope everyone else loses too
• Could miss out on semis if they lose with one or no bonus points
3) Bay of Plenty (23 pts)
Next opponent: Waikato
Maximum points: 28
Minimum points: 23
• Will make the semi-finals with a win
• To get a home semi, need a win and hope Northland and Manawatu lose
• Could miss out on semis if they have a bonus point draw or worse
4) Manawatu (22 pts)
Next opponents: Taranaki (RS), Hawke's Bay
Maximum points: 32
Minimum points: 22
• Will make semi-finals with five points from the two matches
• To get a home semi, need at least eight points
• Could miss out on semis if they have four points or less
5) Otago (21 pts)
Next opponent: Southland
Maximum points: 26
Minimum points: 21
• No guarantee of semi-final spot regardless of result
• Can make semis with at least one bonus point, though will be dependent on other results