Southland and Taranaki rely on forward power

1.00pm

Southland rugby coach Phil Young has put the onus on his forward pack to physically dominate Taranaki in tonight's NPC match in Invercargill.

The Stags go into the second-round game under immense pressure after last week's 52-23 hiding from Waikato in Hamilton.

Southland's lineout and scrum went well but a timid approach at the breakdowns was costly and disappointed former hard-nosed flanker Young.

The Taranaki pack is a solid unit as they showed in their 33-29 win over North Harbour in New Plymouth last Saturday.

"They'll (Taranaki) mix it up and their presence at the breakdown is pretty physical, so we've got to better that," Young said.

Young's search for a greater physicality at breakdowns and tackle areas, and for more forward explosiveness, has resulted in key personnel changes.

Last week's starting flanker Graham Frith has moved to lock in place of Nathan George and Highlanders Super 12 loose forward Hale T-Pole is also back from injury.

There have also been two key alterations in the reserves, with usual first-choice prop Keith Cameron making another step back from injury and Japanese test loose forward Naoya Okubo getting his first chance.

"He's (Okubo) played 30-odd tests for Japan and he's quite a quality footballer," Young said.

"He hasn't been really seen yet but the one thing he can do is defend. He tackles very well and he's got a presence at the breakdown. We really do need that."

The Stags' defence was often poor against Waikato.

They will field a new midfield combination tonight in Australian import Craig McMullen and Mike Maguire.

The Kieran Crowley coached Taranaki team have a much-changed back division this season, with former Australian age-group players James Hilgendorf at fullback and Brock James at first five-eighth.

Other backline newcomers are former New Zealand sevens player and New Zealand Colt Lifeimi Mafi at second five-eighth and Samoan representative Sailosi Tagicakabau on the right wing.

Taranaki's strength, though, remains in their forwards where they have Super 12 players Brent Thompson, Chris Masoe, captain Paul Tito, Andrew Hore and Tony Penn, and former All Blacks prop Gordon Slater.

Bay of Plenty hold on to the points and Ranfurly Shield they took off Auckland last Sunday despite not having the clearance to field Colin Bourke. They were fined $3000 plus $1000 costs.

However their shield celebrations are likely to end in Tauranga on Sunday when they meet a powerful Waikato team that thrashed Southland last Saturday.

Both teams were scheduled to be named today.

Wellington have brought on Roy Kinikinilau for Sireli Bobo on one wing in the only change to the run-on side that beat Canterbury last week to play an injury and sickness hit Otago team at Carisbrook.

Fullback Shaun webb, left wing Jason Kawau and lock James Ryan are among the four changes to the Otago side who beat Northland last week. They replace Glen Horton, Hayden Pedersen and Filipo Levi respectively. Pedersen is out for the season with a dislocated shoulder and Levi has a badly swollen hand.

The other change is at centre, where Seilala Mapusua returns in place of Jason Shoemark.

Australian Julian Huxley has been cleared to play for Northland against Auckland in Whangarei. Injured halfback David Gibson and midfielder Iliesa Tanivula have been replaced by Orene Ai'i and second five-eighth Nick Buckley in the Auckland side.

Loosehead prop Soane Tonga'uiha makes way for Nick White, and Brad Mika, who played at No 8, returns to lock. Angus Macdonald has shifted to blindside flanker and Sione Lauaki has been moved to No 8.

North Otago play Wanganui in Oamaru, Hawke's Bay should beat Thames Valley in Napier, East Coast Bays host Nelson Bays in Ruatoria and Marlborough meet Manawatu in Blenheim in the second division.

Third division matches: Wairarapa Bush v Buller, West Coast v South Canterbury, Poverty Bay v Mid Canterbury, King Country v Horowhenua Kapiti.

- NZPA