Rugby: Northland ignoring shadow of national cull

Lachie Munro has added spark to Northland's attack. Photo / Northern Advocate

Imagine you're playing for a team constantly referred to among those doomed under the planned 14-into-10 national championship haircut next season.

It's reasonable to assume a depressing cloud might be hanging over the players as they ponder what the future holds. Not so, said Northland coach Bryce Woodward yesterday as he confirmed an unchanged lineup for the Air New Zealand Cup clash with Auckland at Kerikeri on Saturday.

"I don't think it affects us from day to day," Woodward said.

"It's something that niggles away in the back part of your consciousness but doesn't affect us in terms of our preparation, or review of the previous game."

Woodward, back in charge after a six-year absence from the Northland job, is a firm believer in the importance of spirit within his squad.

"We put a lot of emphasis in our camp on having fun together," he said.

"I'm a firm believer that team spirit is a big part of the success, or otherwise, of teams and we've worked hard on that. From that point of view the team is in pretty good shape."

After being hit by a run of injuries in pre-season, Woodward's had no major worries in the last fortnight, hence the unchanged 22 to play Auckland from the side which impressively beat Taranaki 29-16 last week.

"It's nice to get a couple of games under the belt without any further injuries," Woodward said.

The introduction of lock Cam Jowitt has helped improve a lineout which was wonky in the five-point loss to Bay of Plenty in round one.

First five-eighths Lachie Munro has added some spark to the operation and scored one of the two fine tries against Taranaki, and a fair dose of fire in the belly among the forwards gave the 10 busloads of supporters who travelled to Albany plenty to celebrate on the trip home.

Auckland, at the bottom of the ladder, will name their team today.

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Waikato have made one change for their trip to Christchurch, No 8 Sione Lauaki has been ruled out by a ligament injury in his foot. His place has gone to Jordan Smiler, who will play at blindside flank, with captain Liam Messam reverting to No 8 after turning in a rousing performance in the 30-22 win over Manawatu last Saturday.

The Waikato union are pleased to have re-signed All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu through to 2011.

With other leading players having done the same - including Messam and other All Blacks Richard Kahui, Stephen Donald, Aled de Malmanche and Mils Muliaina - it should provide a solid core for the next two years.

All Black Kieran Read returns to the Canterbury pack, replacing the No 8 Mike Coman, who made a fine fist of his cup debut in the 22-16 win over Auckland last weekend.

"It's great to have 'Reado' back. He's a quality player," Canterbury coach Rob Penney said yesterday.