Waikato reflect on Southland lesson

It could be that at season's end, Waikato come to look back on a scruffy day out in Invercargill as a key part of a successful NPC campaign.

The 14-12 win over Southland seven days ago had one redeeming feature for Waikato: they won.

Waikato have used their get-out-of-jail card, courtesy of Marty Holah's burrowed try in the final moments.

Starting today in Whangarei, when they play bottom side Northland, Waikato will be out to justify why they are among the strong tips to win the first division title.

"It was a wake-up call," captain and No 8 Steven Bates said of Invercargill.

"It should help us refocus in this competition if we are going to be competitive."

Bates said nothing should be taken away from the quality of Southland's display.

"But we played quite poorly. We've struggled in the past down there and it should have been a lesson to us."

Coach Warren Gatland reacted to the loss by making a string of changes, although that in part is borne of a desire to check the depth of quality in his squad.

Halfback Brendon Leonard is a case in point.

He has come off the bench so far for Isaac Boss. But the bearded Boss heads for Ireland after the seventh round and there is a question mark over when first choice Byron Kelleher - who yesterday re-signed with Waikato for a further two years - will be ready to return after his thumping blow to the head in the Tri-Nations test at Cape Town at the start of the month.

Leonard looks lively, and this is a good chance to assess him in a starting role.

Northland have not done anything so far to suggest they can upset Waikato.

The northernmost province have now gone 20 NPC games without a win - their last victory was on October 13, 2002, against Southland.

Coach Bruce Hodder has tinkered for today. Experienced Jared Going returns to fullback, rugged Jake Paringatai reverts to No 8, where he can be a damaging operator, while Tim Dow, with a try in each of the first two games, is among the quickest hookers around.

There is no relegation this year, but even so, Northland badly need a convincing display to bolster confidence. If they watched Southland last week, they'll take heart.

* Wing David Johnston gets his first NPC start for Bay of Plenty as they chase their first win of the season against Taranaki at Mt Maunganui tomorrow.

A former age-grade national representative, the former Waikato player's career went on hold when he missed the entire 2004 season through injury.

The pacy Johnston replaces Filimone Bolavucu, with the other change being Charles Hubbard replacing the All Black reserve halfback Kevin Senio.

* Three top referees have been cut from this weekend's NPC by injury.

Paul Honiss has a calf injury and won't officiate at Eden Park tomorrow. He is replaced by Hawkes Bay's Chris Pollock.

Kelvin Deaker's knee injury rules him out of the Bay of Plenty-Taranaki match, Manawatu's Chris Rooney taking over.

And Steve Walsh has a back problem and Wellington's Brent Murray will control the second division game between Manawatu and Hawkes Bay in Palmerston North today.