Captain Matt Moulds works on his lineout throwing. He said Northland need to work on the small details of their game. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Captain Matt Moulds works on his lineout throwing. He said Northland need to work on the small details of their game. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Northland are primed for their first semifinal appearance since 2014, making a solitary change to last week's outfit.
They take on Mitre 10 Cup Championship table-toppers Wellington in a repeat of their final regular season fixture, where they were on the wrong side of a 36-18 defeat.
Kara Pryor returnsto the starting lineup, replacing the injured Tim Bond. This brings about a shuffle in the pack with Dan Pryor moving to blindside flanker to accommodate his brother while Murray Douglas moves to lock.
Despite last week's defeat, Northland skipper Matt Moulds is confident the side can get the job done with some improvements.
"To be honest I think we can beat them, we've just got to get better in our detail within our structures and our game plan," he said.
"We probably just missed minor details that cost us in the end. Our Achilles heels this season have been our offloading when the opportunity isn't necessarily there and our discipline around the ruck, particularly in the opposition half.
"We're releasing momentum too easily."
Northland were right in the contest at halftime last week, being down 13-12, but Wellington pulled away after errors crept into Northland's game.
Coach Derren Witcombe said they saw nothing there during that match they hadn't seen and a more clinical effort was crucial to their chances in the semifinal.
"We didn't learn anything new that we didn't know before. They're very clinical and they like to play a lot of rugby," he said.
"They've got a strong team but we've just got to do what we did in the first 30 minutes on Thursday better for 80 minutes really.
"There were a couple of opportunities where we didn't convert and if we had, it could have been a different story. So we need to concentrate on getting our game better."
Rene Ranger takes a high ball at training ahead of their Mitre 10 Cup Championship semi-final against Wellington. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Moulds agreed that were not taken aback by Wellington and knew what they were in for tomorrow night.
"We weren't surprised really, they've been playing the same sort of solid footy all season," he said.
"I don't think they'll change what they've been doing because it's worked well for them so far. We know what to expect.
"We have a couple of things up our sleeve but mainly it's about executing those minor details."
Wellington have made three changes to their team from last week with the big omission being All Black flanker Vaea Fifita as he returns to the national setup ahead of the third Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane.
Fifita's absence allows captain Brad Shields to move into his preferred blindside flanker spot with Galu Taufale starting at the back of the scrum.
The other changes see bullocking hooker Asafo Aumua and halfback Sheridan Rangihuna winning starts after strong performances over the weekend.
Wellington have unsurprisingly taken the favourites odds at the TAB at $1.13 with Northland coming in at $5.60.
The match kicks off at 7:35pm tomorrow.
Northland: Solomon Alaimalo, Jordan Hyland, Rene Ranger, Jack Goodhue, Jone Macilai, Dan Hawkins, Sam Nock, Matt Matich, Kara Pryor, Dan Pryor, Murray Douglas, Josh Goodhue, Ropate Rinakama, Matt Moulds (c), Ross Wright. Reserves: Jordan Olsen, Phil Kite, Chris Apoua, Michael Faleafa, Jack Ram, Emil Pittman, Peter Breen, Tamati Tua.
Wellington: Trent Renata, Julian Savea, Wes Goosen, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Ben Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Sheridan Rangihuna, Galu Taufale, Mateaki Kafatolu, Brad Shields (c), James Blackwell, Sam Lousi, Alex Fidow, Asafo Aumua, Tolu Fahamokioa. Reserves: Sitiveni Paongo, Vince Sakaria, Joe Apikotoa, Will Mangos, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Regan Verney, Malo Tuitama.
