NPC preview

CANTERBURY V NORTHLAND

Jade Stadium

Tonight 7.35

Referee: Glen Wahlstrom


Canterbury
Ben Blair

Marika Vunibaka

Mark Mayerhofler

Daryl Gibson (c)

Caleb Ralph

Andrew Mehrtens

Justin Marshall

Sam Broomhall

Scott Robertson

Reuben Thorne

Norm Maxwell

Todd Blackadder

Greg Somerville

Matt Sexton

Dave Hewett

Res: Afato So'oalo, Nathan Mauger,

Ben Hurst; Johnny Leo'o, Steve Lancaster,

Greg Feek, Mark Hammett.


Northland

Hayden Taylor

Jason Hita

Jason Shoemark

Robbie Johnson

Fero Lasagavibau

Tony Monaghan

Joggie Viljoen

Brett Waaka

Justin Collins

Mat Webber

Glenn Taylor (c)

Vula Maimuri

Joe Veitayaki

Jason Hammond

Tim Knight

Res: Brad Miller, Jared Going,

Sam Pinder; Samiu Vahafolau,

Brandon Jackson, Mike Storey, Joe Ross.


Our view:

Northland have won plenty of respect this season, but taking the Ranfurly Shield at Jade Stadium against a Canterbury side gunning for the top playoff spot looks beyond them. Canterbury have lost Todd Blackadder to a neck injury, Northland's Norm Berryman has gone to France.

AUCKLAND V OTAGO

Eden Park

Tomorrow 2.35 pm

Referee: Colin Hawke


Auckland

Adrian Cashmore

Malili Muliaina

Eroni Clarke

Amasio Valence

Doug Howlett

Carlos Spencer

Steve Devine

Xavier Rush

Andrew Blowers

Dylan Mika

Charles Riechelmann (c)

Robin Brooke

Nick White

Keven Mealamu

Craig Dowd

Res: Iliesa Tanivula, Orene Ai'i,

Ben Meyer; Finau Maka, Leo Lafaiali'i,

Paul Thomson, James Christian.


Otago

Justin Swart

Brendan Laney

Seilala Mapusua

Pita Alatini

Hayden Reid

Tony Brown

Byron Kelleher

Kelvin Middleton (c)

Josh Kronfeld

Taine Randell

Simon Maling

Filipo Levi

Carl Hoeft

Anton Oliver

Carl Hayman

Res: Romi Ropati, Charles Hore,

Donovan Hall; Josh Blackie,

Andrew McClintock, Joe McDonnell, Tom Willis.


Our view:

Auckland are giving breaks to Craig Innes, Iliesa Tanivula, Leo Lafaiali'i and Paul Thomson, while Otago are without forwards Kees Meeuws (calf) and John Blaikie (shoulder). Levi, a national Colt, makes his run-on debut. Otago have not won at Eden Park for 24 years.

WELLINGTON V WAIKATO

WestpacTrust Stadium

Tomorrow 2.35 pm

Referee: Paddy O'Brien


Wellington

Christian Cullen

Tana Umaga

Alama Ieremia

Jason O'Halloran

Jonah Lomu

David Holwell

Jason Spice

Jerry Collins

Kupu Vanisi

Rodney So'oialo

Dion Waller

Milton Ngauamo

Morne van der Merwe

Norm Hewitt (c)

Kevin Yates

Res: Brad Fleming, Paul Steinmetz,

Dan Kirton; Semo Sititi, Inoke Afeaki,

Mike Edwards, Murray Driver/Shane Carter.


Waikato

Todd Miller

Damian Karauna

Keith Lowen

Scott McLeod

Bruce Reihana

Glen Jackson

Rhys Duggan

Deon Muir (c)

Marty Holah

Jono Gibbes

Royce Willis

Chresten Davis

Deacon Manu/Paul Martin

Greg Smith

David Briggs

Res: Grant McQuoid, Mark Ranby,

Ben Willis; Clark McLeod,

Scott Couch, Martin/Dennis Hazelton, Guy Coleman.


Our view:

Waikato start Smith to help their lineout. Wing Roger Randle (shoulder) is out. Wellington coach Dave Rennie has made the big call of dropping Afeaki, with former Auckland Ngauamo called up. A Waikato win gets them a playoff spot and finishes off Otago, Taranaki and North Harbour.

NORTH HARBOUR V SOUTHLAND
North Harbour Stadium

Tomorrow 7.35 pm

Referee: Kevin Rowe


North Harbour

Silo Leaega

Aisea Tuilevu/Karl Te Nana

Rua Tipoki

Walter Little

Eric Rush/Marc Ellis

Willie Walker

Mark Robinson

Blair Urlich

Matua Parkinson

Craig Newby

Matt Lord

Troy Flavell (c)

Rod Moore

Ace Tiatia

Tony Coughlan

Res: Te Nana/Tuilevu, Ellis/Rush,

John Beckett; Manaco Tonga,

Phil Weedon, Dean Thompson, Slade McFarland.


Southland

Aaron Kimura

Anthony Lafaiali'i

Graeme Bond

Joe Naufahu

Alex Telea

David Hill

Jimmy Cowan

Matt O'Connell

Simon Etheridge

Peter Ryan

Brendon Timmins (c)

Steve Jackson

Aaron Dempsey

Jason Rutledge

Clarke Dermody

Res: Faolua Muliaina, Shay Tipu,

Jimmy Cowan; Brendon Pascoe,

Mark Tinnock, Simon Kerr, Davin Heaps.


Our View

Unpredictable North Harbour should win, but their playoff fate could be known by game time and, if it's bad news, that could be deflating. Walker is retained ahead of Ellis, and Little makes a record 146th appearance for his province. Tiatia starts, but Ron Cribb (ankle) is out.

COUNTIES MANUKAU V TARANAKI

Pukekohe Stadium

Sunday 2.35 pm

Referee: Gary Wise


Counties Manukau

Phil Lewis

Joeli Vidiri

David Wood/Gus Leger

George Leaupepe

Patrick Petelo

Blair Feeney

Danny Lee (c)

Dion Kingi

Glen Marsh

Hare Makiri

Kristian Ormsby

Ramon Lindsay

Alan McLean

John Akurangi

Dave Stewart

Res: Leger/Tamaha McDonald,

Salesi Moimoi, Punani Hunia;

Mark Todd, Koula Tukino, Tai Vailala, Grant Henson.


Taranaki

Daryl Lilley

Neil Brew

Faapolou Soolefai

Mepi Faoagali

Lome Fa'atau

Mark Urwin

Brendan Haami

Campbell Feather

Neil Crowley

Brent Thompson

Andy Slater (c)

Paul Tito

Gordon Slater

Daniel Smith

Tony Penn

Res: Kerry Eynon, Craig Taylor,

Craig Fevre; Phil Mitchell, Darryl Fale,

Keith Robinson, Tama Tuirirangi.


Our view:

Counties Manukau have been a bit better than their record suggests, but remain an unknown quantity. Taranaki deserve favouritism, but like some other sides in the weekend's games, they may find by game time their playoff hopes have gone.