Otago ($1.06) v Northland ($8) Dunedin, 4.35pm, today
The lowdown: Otago's title chances took something of a hit this week with skipper Craig Newby out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. The three-test All Black is one of those follow-me-fellas-type leader and he's also ahandy player at the back of the scrum. Josh Blackie has the captain's armband and is well qualified - he skippered the Liston College First XV nearly 10 years ago. Anton Oliver will be on the bench but prop Carl Hayman is still absent.
Northland's own Newby-type figure will play, with Blues flanker Justin Collins about to make his return to Northland after recovering from a snapped Achilles tendon. Collins has been included on the bench.
But key first-five David Holwell might not play - he has a rib cartilege strain and has been bracketed with Daniel Bowden about whom coach Mark Anscombe is expressing confidence.
Northland were much-improved against Canterbury and have maybe increased expectations of a team which has not won in 29 championship games.
Look out for: Northland's defence. Former Kiwis captain and Herald on Sunday rugby league columnist Hugh McGahan has been drafted in to oversee this aspect of the game.
What we think: Northland are getting closer to breaking their drought but it might not be this weekend. Counties Manukau await next weekend and, failing that, Hawke's Bay the following week. Chill the beers, because it's coming.
Otago - C. Clare, B. Smith, N. Brew, C. Bruce, A. Fatafehi, N. Evans, C. Smylie, A. Thomson, J. Blackie (c), A. Soakai, T. Donnelly, F. Levi, C. King, J. Macdonald, K. Cameron. Res: A. Oliver, N. Hall, D. Joblin, E. Cocker, T. Morland, C. Hore, G. Zampach. Northland - M. Milroy, S. Korovata, M. Burckhart-Macrae, H. Taylor, R. Ranger, D. Holwell (c)/D. Bowden, D. Gibson, J. Paringatai, J. McKenty, J. Cocker, B. Taylor, D. Goodwin, S. Wright, J. Pinder, T. Coughlan. Res: J. Davies, B. Murray, V. Maimuri, J. Collins, J. Senio, D. Bowden/G. Clarke, J. Levi.
