Rugby: Defence key as Northland eye Shield upset

Northland coach Bryce Woodward. Photo / Getty Images

Northland see defence as the key as they try to pull off a major rugby upset on Saturday and topple Air NZ Cup leaders and Ranfurly Shield holders Canterbury.

The Taniwhas will have to overcome a truncated preparation caused by a short turnaround and two lots of travel, but they have been buoyed by their 25-18 success over Manawatu last Sunday.

The three-try-to-nil victory lifted them one place to 11th and was a major turnaround from the previous weekend, when they were humbled 37-21 by bottom-of-the-table Counties Manukau.

"Yes, we were definitely pleased about the win," coach Bryce Woodward said.

"We were pretty average against Counties and our supporters let us know that, so it was important we put on a performance against Manawatu."

One aspect that Woodward was particularly happy about was Northland's defensive organisation, which had let them down against Counties and at other times this season.

He knows his players will have to step up another level in Christchurch, given the quality of the opposition and their expected game plan.

"Canterbury's pattern seems to be to target the air early," Woodward said.

"If you run it back at them, they lick their lips and climb into you.

"Once they've done that a little bit, they attack you with ball in hand using a lot of width.

"If you can't arrange your defence, keep players across the full width and make your tackles, then you end up trouble."

Woodward said the double of a Shield challenge added to the excitement levels, with Northland last having held the Log of Wood in 1979.

The extra anticipation would help to combat a turnaround of just six days, two of them taken up with the return home from Palmerston North and the upcoming trip to Christchurch.

"That's the cards we've been given," he said.

"We're not complaining, but it does make it tough."

As well, Canterbury will be bolstered by having two of their All Black squad members back in prop Wyatt Crockett and fullback Colin Slade.

Woodward has retained his starting 15 with the only change being in the reserves, where lock Pat O'Conner returns after an injury break.

With four teams set to be cut as the competition is reduced from 14 teams, Northland are among the favourites to get the chop.

Woodward admitted that the situation he and his players found themselves in "gnaws away at the back of your consciousness".

But proving they were worthy of staying up wasn't something that spurred the Taniwhas on.

"Week to week, we're motivated by performing for ourselves as a team," he said.

"The second motivation is our family and our supporters. Third is the tradition of Northland."

In the opening match of the latest round, high-flying Southland are in the capital tonight to take on mid-table Wellington.

Tomorrow night, North Harbour, fresh from their upset win over Auckland in the Battle of the Bridge, host Counties Manukau in a clash between the competition's bottom two teams.

Taranaki, beaten in their Shield challenge last weekend, are at home to Waikato in a match between eighth and ninth.

On Saturday, Hawke's Bay, who climbed four spots to fourth thanks to a fine 32-10 win over Otago, welcome Manawatu, while Otago are at home to third-placed Bay of Plenty.

Tasman and Auckland, two teams who remain just outside the top four after defeats last weekend, face off in Nelson on Sunday.

- NZPA