Griffin may be secret weapon for Taniwha

With Taniwha supporters  celebrating the return of David Holwell for tonight's match against Southland in Invercargill - albeit from the bench - an even more important change in the Northland starting line-up has gone relatively unnoticed.
The inclusion of hard-working  Roy Griffin, returning from a two-month break with an ankle injury, sees the loose forward trio with a new, stronger look.
Northland coach Bryce Woodward has made no secret of the fact that the breakdown has been one of areas that has given him, and forwards coach Blair Larsen, the biggest headache this season.
Griffin's reputation as a big tackler and a glutton for work at the breakdown is just what Woodward needs at blindside, and the change will no doubt also give the much-maligned Northland lineout some further options.
The Kamo player came through last week's fitness test, in the Northland development team's game against an Auckland side, with flying colours - although he was rested after 50 minutes, on orders from above.
Griffin is just glad to get his stalled season under way  since he injured himself in a club match two days after signing his Northland contract in June.
"It's been hard work for me to sit on the sidelines and watch the boys play, so it was good to get through the game on Saturday and to come off feeling pleased with the way I'm playing ... now bring on Southland," Griffin said.
Woodward said he  was hoping for a bright start from the Kamo loosie but they realised he  was returning from a long injury.
"We're not expecting him to complete the game. We know he's not really match fit yet but we expect him to go well against Southland," he said.
The coach said Matt Clutterbuck's movement to the bench this week was a sign  they  were prepared to bench players who  did not stick to the gameplan.
Griffin will partner Joe McKenty, Northland's most consistent loose forward this season, who moves to blindside for the first time, and Cameron Eyre at  No8.
"If we play like we played against Otago, Southland will bury us. But we're hopeful we've addressed the issues that got us into trouble last week and I guess the proof of that will be seen after tomorrow's game," Woodward said.
With the addition of Holwell, the Taniwha go into the match with three first five-eighths - an unusual move for any team - but the coach is sure that they have all the bases covered.
"It looks a little out of shape but we've got all positions covered. Jon Elrick has been training to cover second five-eighth, should he be needed there, and Damien Fakafanua has played on the wing for Northland before, and Rene Ranger and Jared Payne have both played at centre," he said.
Meanwhile, Southland ironically are without their two first choice first five-eighths, with third choice Seminar Manu coming in for the injured Robbie Robinson and James Wilson.
David Hall returns from injury to replace Jason Rutledge  as hooker but  there are no further changes  to the team that defeated North Harbour by two points at Albany.
Stags' manager Lester Rutledge said that, despite their differing results last week, Northland would not be taken lightly during the match tonight.
"We've got a huge respect for Northland. We've never had an easy game against them and we're not expecting one this week. They have played some good footy this season and it will be an interesting clash."