Rugby: Northland ready for Cup opener

First five Peter Breen and reserve fullback Monty Lama in preparation mode ahead of Northland's Mitre 10 Cup opener against Manawatu. Photo / John Stone

Northland will be looking to start their Mitre 10 Cup in winning fashion when they take on Manawatu at Toll Stadium tonight.

The Taniwha experienced a dismal campaign last year, earning just one competition point in a winless season, but come back stronger and more experienced.

Coach Richie Harris said the side is in a far greater position to succeed this year.

"(Compared with last year) we're in better shape and we're more or less at full strength," he said.

"We are a fitter side, our set piece is better and our patterns are better, basically in all facets we are far better than last season."

Having a home opener will give Northland a boost going into the match-up with Manawatu, who won just three games last season.

Harris said their preparations couldn't have been better going into the game.

"Preparation is going good, we've trained well all week.

"They've been as good as they could have been," he said.

Northland have a mix of experience and youth, with three debutants in their starting lineup - prop Phil Kite, blindside flanker Michael Faleafa, and fullback Solomona Alaimalo - as well as Super Rugby players Kara Pryor, Jone Macilai, Jack Ram and captain Matt Moulds.

Harris said it's easy to spot their strengths going in.

"We have a superior loose forward group, so we need to get them involved," he said.

"The scrum will be crucial, so getting a solid set piece will be very important for us. We also need our defensive line to get up and make their tackles."

The Taniwha decided against selecting Highlanders flanker Dan Pryor after he joined the camp on Tuesday.

Harris said they didn't want to blindside him by putting him in just yet.

"There was a mandatory two week stand-down for him, which is a Player's Association ruling, so we had no control over that," he said.

"He went through that and was available, but we felt there was too much to get through in terms of the new breakdown rules that Mitre 10 Cup play, which are different to Super Rugby rulings."

Kick off is at 7.35pm at Toll Stadium.

Tickets are available today from the Northland Rugby Union offices and at the gate from 3.45pm.

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

Manawatu: Jason Emery, Newton Tudreu, Hamish Northcott, Ngani Laumape, Ambrose Curtis, Sam Malcolm, Toby Morland, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (c), Antonio Kiri Kiri, Jackson Hemopo, Kane Thompson, Tom Parsons, Michael Alaalatoa, Tim Cadwallader, Fraser Armstrong. Reserves: Hunter Prescott, Tukiterangi Raimona, Jake Ilnicki, Valentino Mapapalangi, Callum Gibbins, Jamie Booth, Otere Black, Curtis Reid.