Rugby: Two-pronged battle for local rivals

NEW PLYMOUTH - It's the big one of the first division NPC rugby season for Taranaki and Wellington in New Plymouth tonight.

It is a battle for both sides to keep their semifinal hopes alive and for individual Super 12 spots.

Hurricanes coach Graham Mourie, who also coaches Wellington, has made it clear the bulk of his Super 12 squad will come from the two sides - "provided they perform."

So the match-ups take on greater significance. It all starts in the front row, with Taranaki's Gordon Slater, Dawson Tamati and Tama Tuirirangi up against Wellington's Mike Edwards, Norm Hewitt and former England prop Kevin Yates.

Slater and Hewitt have been Hurricanes stalwarts, while Tuirirangi had a taste this year and Yates wants to play professionally in New Zealand.

Then there's Taranaki lock Paul Tito, who played for the Chiefs this year, against Wellington's Hurricanes duo of Inoke Afeaki and Dion Waller. Tito will need to step up a gear to reinforce his claims.

Taranaki's loose forward trio of Campbell Feather, Darryl Fale and Neil Crowley are in a race against Wellington's Filo Tiatia, Kupu Vanisi and Jerry Collins.

Wellington field two Super 12 players in their backline - centre Jason O'Halloran and first five-eighths David Holwell - while hopefuls are fullback Colin Sullivan, winger Brad Fleming and second five-eighth Norman Broughton.

Taranaki fullback Mark Urwin is one of the form players in NPC rugby, as is second five-eighths Mepi Faoagali.

Two former Hurricanes, Richard Jarman and Jamie Cameron, are pushing for recalls to the professional ranks.

Cameron returns to the starting lineup after missing last Saturday's Ranfurly Shield match against Waikato in Hamilton. Waikato won 33-15.

Wellington, with two wins from four games, is in fifth spot on 10 points, while Taranaki has won only one game and is eighth equal on five points.

But coach Colin Cooper said the focus would be on captain Andy Slater's 150th game for Taranaki.

Mourie said his team was keen to put things right after the dismal showing against Northland.

History has Wellington the favourite for the match, having won 12 of the previous 14 first division matches between the two sides, with Taranaki's last win 10 years ago in 1989 - 11-9. - NZPA