Grumpy Northland coach rings changes

By DAVID LEGGAT

Northland coach Bryce Woodward says a few home truths have been spelled out as his team prepare for tomorrow night's NPC first division trip to Wellington.

The first-up loss to Otago in Dunedin was one thing; the lifeless 34-16 hammering from Auckland last Friday night was quite another for Woodward.

So he's rung the changes, making four personnel switches and a couple of positional adjustments for the visit to the Cake Tin.

Vula Maimuri moves from lock to blindside flanker, Brad Taylor joins captain Glenn Taylor at lock, and Tim Henwood drops to the bench in a rearranged back row.

Regan Finch replaces Jared Going at first five-eighths, Jason Hita comes in at centre, Jason Shoemark moves in one place and Robbie Johnson goes to the bench.

The one forced change was in the front row, where prop Mike Storey has been put out by a pinched nerve, suffered against Auckland.

He trained last night but was not comfortable, so Bronson Murray takes his place at loosehead.

Woodward believes the powerful Maimuri is a better lock than No 6 - a position to which he is no stranger - but it's horses for courses tomorrow night.

"It just suits our mix this week," Woodward said.

"We'll lose nothing in terms of oomph, we'll get a bit more mobility into the loose forwards, and there's also the ability to get guaranteed ball at lineout time."

The players felt the cutting edge of Woodward's tongue this week. Being outplayed in technical or footballing terms is one thing; being outgunned on spirit and resolve is something else.

"We've had a lot of hard words in the last couple of days.

"They're not happy with their performance, but they got outpassioned as much as outperformed by Auckland. It's a long time since we've been outpassioned."

Woodward knows that for the second consecutive week, Northland will face a team seeking redemption after a loss in the previous round. Auckland were pipped by Taranaki in the opening round before heading to Whangarei, and Wellington are smarting from a 22-20 loss to Southland in the rain and slush of Invercargill.

Northland are bottom and pointless after two rounds.

In their favour is that those above them are still well within catching distance. Southland and Bay of Plenty have four points and four others have five.

Woodward acknowledged things were not at crisis point, but for a team whose early aim was two wins from their first four games, victory tomorrow night is assuming significant proportions.

Wellington have made a handful of changes for the game.

Norm Broughton makes way for Pita Alatini, back after injuring his knee three weeks ago, at second five-eighths; Jason Spice returns at halfback for James King; and New Zealand Colt Thomas Waldrom is in for Luke Andrews at blindside flanker.

Northland: Hayden Taylor, Fero Lasagavibau, Jason Hita, Jason Shoemark, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Regan Finch, Sam Pinder, Brett Waaka, Allen Tubbs, Vula Maimuri, Glenn Taylor (capt), Brad Taylor, Con Barrell, Derren Witcombe, Mike Storey or Bronson Murray. Res: Jason Hammond, Murray or Tim Knight, Nisifola Naufahu, Tim Henwood, Lee Peina, Jared Going, Robbie Johnson.

Wellington: Christian Cullen, Brad Fleming, Tana Umaga (capt), Pita Alatini, Jonah Lomu, Riki Flutey, Jason Spice, Rodney So'oialo, Kupu Vanisi, Thomas Waldrom, Milton Ngauomo, Ross Kennedy, Tim Fairbrother, Shane Carter, Kas Lealamanua. Res: Luke Mahoney, John Pale, Hemi Pou, Kane Thompson, David Holwell, Ma'a Nonu, Lome Fa'atau.