Umaga adds spice to clash

The rugby gods have smiled on Northland's fortunes in the run-up to tomorrow's crucial clash against Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe but they have also showed some benevolence to Northland's hosts.
Both second five-eighth Aaron Bancroft and prop Ross Wright came through fitness tests unscathed yesterday, allowing Bryce Woodward to name a strong side for the match - but Counties coach Milton Haig will also be buoyed by the availability of player-coach Tana Umaga for the home side. He has overcome a hamstring injury and has been named at second-five eighth.
The south Auckland team has named a strong side to take on the Taniwha.
The chance to play against Umaga has sparked some interest in the Taniwha side with recent Northland All Black Rene Ranger looking forward to the challenge.
"This is the first time I've had the chance to play against Tana, he's a player I've always looked up to and it's great opportunity for me to come up against him in this game," he said.
"On the downside, he'll be a hard opponent on the field and he'll definitely give their team a lift coming back this weekend."
Ranger said he would not let himself be overawed by the opposition but said the team was expecting a hard game from a highly motivated team.
"We know Counties were one of the best teams in the competition earlier on, so we're definitely not going to underestimate them - it's going to be a close game with both teams likely to move the ball from anywhere," Ranger said.
Winger Simon Munro has also returned from a spell on the sidelines after being injured in the first match of the season against Taranaki and will start on the bench.
Flanker Joel McKenty and prop Justin Davies are returning from injury and get the opportunity of some match practice by playing for the Northland Development team, who play the curtain-raiser against Counties at Growers Stadium.
The Counties side has still got two players bracketed for the match and will have to wait another day until they name their final starting side.
Sevens guru and skipper DJ Forbes with probably play at openside flanker but is still bracketed with Mark Selwyn while hooker Grant Henson will also have to pass a late fitness test. At the moment he is covered by Ilaisa Maasi, with Mark Price ready to come onto the bench if Henson cannot take the field. The game starts at 4.30pm tomorrow.
Northland: 15 Jared Payne (c), 14 Mateo Malupo, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Aaron Bancroft, 11 Lachie Munro, 10 David Holwell, 9 Rhyan Caine 8 Cam Eyre, 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Dean Budd, 5 Mark Burman, 4 Pat O'Connor, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Tim Dow, 1 Matt Wallis. Reserves: 16 Mikaele Tuu'u, 17 Ross Wright, 18 Roy Griffin, 19 Cam Goodhue, 20 Luke Hamilton, 21 Adam Clarke, 22 Simon Munro.
Counties-Manukau: 15 Tim Nanai Williams, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Tana Umaga, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Dean Cummins, 9 August Pulu, 8 Viliami Fihaki, 7 Mark Selwyn/DJ Forbes, 6 Fritz Lee, 5 Jamie Chipman, 4 Taiasina Tuifua, 3 Jono Owen, 2 Grant Henson/Ilaisa Maasi, 1 Simon Lemalu. Reserves: 16 Maasi/Mark Price, 17 Graham Dewes, 18 Ronald Raaymakers, 19 Selwyn/Forbes, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Rey Lee-Lo, 22 Ahsee Tuala.