Rugby: Auckland's ripe for picking

Jone Macilai will pair with Solomon Alaimalo and Monty Lama in the back three for Northland in their Mitre 10 Cup match against Auckland. Photo / John Stone

Northland's opening match may not have gone entirely to script, but they'll be looking to register a win tonight against a vulnerable Auckland side at Eden Park.

Northland not only looked likely throughout their 34-27 loss to Manawatu - they should have won the match.

They were only a couple of breakdown errors away from a perfect start to the season but coach Richie Harris said they've been working hard - and not just in that area.

"We still realise that set piece is critical for us. It mirrors our performance; if it goes well, we go well, so we've done work on that as we have all year," he said.

"We have looked at growing our attack in other areas and clarity around breakdown defence in terms of when to commit and when not to."

Northland have made four changes to their starting line-up; Tamati Tua jumps into the midfield, Dan Pryor and Jack Ram come into the loose forwards and Jordan Olsen will start at hooker and assume the captaincy.

Usual captain Matt Moulds and flanker Kara Pryor were not considered due to injury, but aren't expected to be out for long.

"Another day and they would have presented. We're going into storm week with Otago on Wednesday and Canterbury on Saturday, we need to be as fit and healthy as we can be," Harris said. "Pryor had bangs on his elbow and knee, but is looking to play the next game."

Harris said they are wary of Auckland, who are coming off a heavy 43-3 loss to a finely-tuned Canterbury side.

"They're a typical Auckland team. They can get good set piece ball and good gain line in first carry, and then you're chasing shadows," he said.

"They like that style, they're bloody tough to stop when they get those, and we know perfectly well what they're able to do."

Fullback Solomon Alaimalo will back up from his impressive debut to pair once again with Monty Lama and Jone Macilai to form an intriguing back three.

Alaimalo was coy about how well he performed last game, but credits his fellow outside backs for how he has transitioned to Mitre 10 Cup level.

"It was a slow start. I didn't really know what to expect. Got lucky that a couple of balls bounced my way and was pretty happy with how I ran, but we didn't get the result we wanted," he said.

"Jone is a big help, coming from a Super environment, and Monty helps build that chemistry. They help me out big time."

Auckland v Northland, Eden Park, 7.45pm, tonight

Northland: Solomon Alaimalo, Monty Lama, Warren Dunn, Tamati Tua, Jone Macilai, Peter Breen, Sam Nock, Dan Pryor, Jack Ram, Michael Faleafa, Shane Neville, Josh Goodhue, Phil Kite, Jordan Olsen (c), Namatahi Waa;
Reserves: Ross Wright, Howard Sililoto, Matt Talaese, Josh Larsen, Matt Matich, Malcolm MacLeod, Dan Hawkins, Jordan Hyland.

Auckland: Melani Nanai, Lolagi Visinia, Vince Aso, Calvary Fonoti, Pryor Collier, Simon Hickey (c), Leon Fukofuka, Steven Luatua, Akira Ioane, Taleni Seu, Liaki Moli, Scott Scrafton, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Sam Prattley;
Reserves: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Tom McHugh. Marcel Renata, Josh Kaifa, Joe Edwards, Jono Hickey, Latiume Fosita, Joe Ravouvou.