Northerners in hunt to improve

NORTHLAND: 2001 - 7th

Northland under the astute coaching of Bryce Woodward have been a worthy competitor in the first division over the past three seasons and have even rekindled memories of their glory years in the 1970s.

But Woodward points out that despite some excellent wins, in Wellington in 2000 and in a thriller against Auckland at Eden Park last year, Northland have had only mid-table finishes.

They were seventh of the 11 teams in first division last year, and sixth in each of the 2000 and 1999 seasons.

"Making the semifinals is always your goal and anything else means you're struggling," he said.

"We've always been just that one win away from doing it.

"The semifinals are your first step and it would be nice this year to make them."

This year Northland will have the problem of not having access to some of the loan players who were key factors last season.

The most notable player is first five-eighths James Arlidge who will not be released by Auckland - the fact he kicked the dramatic winning conversion for Northland's first win over Auckland in 20 years being only coincidental to that decision.

Arlidge was not only competent in the pivot position, he was a reliable, accurate goalkicker, often under pressure.

Northland do not appear to have a player capable of both roles unless a halfback recruit from King Country, Lee Peina, can step up and beat Sam Pinder for the starting spot.

Utility back Jared Going, whose role in national sevens was affected by injury this year, is likely to be the first five-eighths, though Northland do have their eyes on still negotiating a loan from another union.

If the goalkicking and lack of depth at first five-eighths can be overcome, there is no reason to believe Northland will be any less competitive than they have been in the past three seasons.

Also boosting Northland's hopes will be the solid representation they have had at Super 12 level, with a strong core of players in the Blues this year, including the captain Glenn Taylor.

The veteran lock will again be available to inspire the Northland pack, which will include the promising hooker Derren Witcombe, lock Vula Maimuri and a big improver with the Blues, prop Mike Storey.

Increasing the loose forward depth, always a feature of Northland sides, will be a Tongan international, Nisi Naufahu.

The Northland stars last year were the exciting Fiji wings Rupeni Caucaunibuca, scorer of a sensational matchwinning try against Auckland, and Fero Lasagavibau.

Caucaunibuca's Super 12 with the Blues was wrecked by injuries but luckily for Northland he is over them.

Northland have a reasonably difficult start. They play Otago in Dunedin tomorrow afternoon before facing Auckland (home), Wellington (away) and Taranaki (home).

Even allowing for the calibre of that opposition Woodward is hoping for at least two wins and possibly three after four rounds.

Northland have a Ranfurly Shield challenge, too, a night game on September 13.

But that is not a preoccupation yet, even though Northland may be sharing in history, as the match will be played 100 years to the day when the shield was presented.