RUGBY - Cocker's arrival puts regular starters on notice

Apparently it came down to Joel McKenty or Jake Paringatai, and John Cocker emerged the winner.
Now Cocker will emerge from the relative obscurity of the Northland reserves bench to take centre stage in the No.7 jersey in what will be an emotional match to mark the 100-game milestone for Northland captain Justin Collins.
Cocker has got the nod for his first start of the season ahead of McKenty, who was the shock omission from the team to play Counties-Manukau at Homeworld Stadium on Sunday.
And the sudden switch has been followed by a blunt salvo from Northland coach Mark Anscombe, who said another sub-standard display could result in even more changes next weekend.
"If we have another display like last week then there might be more changes to come," Anscombe said.
"This is as much a move that will force some guys to look hard at themselves, not relax, because the position isn't theirs by right.
"We have certainly been happy with the work Cocker has brought to the game when he has come off the bench. It has been accurate and industrious," he said.
But even after considering Cocker had done enough to win a starting jersey, it took some debate to decide if McKenty would sit down or Paringatai. Both players were off kilter when Northland stumbled to Hawke's Bay last week.
In the end Paringatai's ability to carry the ball won over McKenty's ability to pilfer possession.
But it has suddenly piled some pressure on Cocker in a game Northland must win with a try-scoring bonus point to keep the quarterfinals dreams alive, no matter how unlikely those aspirations might be.
Counties arrive without a win this season, a factor that concerns Anscombe, and armed with two potent attacking outside backs in Lelia Masaga and Niva Ta'auso. Hard-hitting loose forward Kristian Ormsby is the rock of the Counties forward pack.
Cocker's arrival isn't the only change either.
Auckland import Tevita Mailau has won the start at tighthead prop, Brad Taylor returns at lock, Fetu Vainikolo is back to start on one wing and Rene Ranger is named to run on at fullback.
It seems the only certainties for selection this week were Collins in the No.6 jersey, David Holwell at first five-eighths and Dan Bowden in the No.12 outfit.
The match kicks off on Sunday at 2.30pm.
NORTHLAND V COUNTIES Rene Ranger 1 Tanner Vili Glenn Martin 2 Lelia Masaga Tony Koonwaiyou 3 Niva Ta'auso Dan Bowden 4 Nigel Watson Fetu Vainikolo 5 Siale Piutau David Holwell 6 Dean Cummins Corey Tamou 7 Kevin Farrell Jake Paringatai 8 Daniel Crichton John Cocker 9 James Maher Justin Collins (c) 10 Taiasina Tuifua Brad Taylor 11 Dave Duley Dan Goodwin 12 Kristian Orsmby Tevita Mailau 13 Poaloi Taula Tim Dow 14 Kane Hancy Tony Coughlan 15 Male Sa'u
Reserves. - Northland: Justin Davies, Bronson Murray, Steve Baker, Joel McKenty, Rhyan Caine, Mike Davis, Josh Levi. Counties: Ilaisa Maasi, Cole Mooney, Van der Heijden, Fritz Lee, Kane Hancy, Troy Nathan.