Unfavourable odds for Bay away from home

It has been a tough week for Bay of Plenty coach Vern Cotter.

First came the news talented centre Nick Collins was out for the remainder of the NPC first division season with a shoulder injury. Then on Wednesday at training, No 8 Clayton McMillan tore ligaments in his elbow and has been ruled out for at least a week.

First-choice No 8 Paul Tupai is on a four-week suspension for a high tackle two weeks ago.

Taranaki go into the game as warm favourites, sitting fifth on the points table after wins against Auckland, Otago and Northland. Bay of Plenty are in 10th spot on five points.

Bay have yet to win a game. All their points are for finishing within seven points of the winners or scoring four tries or more.

Taranaki's 27-12 win over Northland last weekend kept it in the hunt for a top-four spot and another against Bay of Plenty will keep things on track.

"Our defence has to be solid," Taranaki coach Colin Cooper said. "We don't want to turn the ball over to them. They've got a lot of good one-off runners and we need to retain ball to stop that."

Cooper has made one change from the Northland game - Chris Woods replaces James Kerr on the wing.

The danger men in the Bay backline are first five-eighths Glen Jackson and speedy wingers Jason Tiatia and Sam Hala.

Up front, hooker Aleki Lutui loves to run with the ball, while big locks Mark Weedon and David Duley will win their share of lineout ball.

Teams:

Taranaki: Daryl Lilley, Shayne Austin, Bryce Robins, Chris Woods, Matthew Harvey, Mark Urwin, Brendan Haami, Chris Masoe, Neil Crowley, Reece Robinson, Paul Tito (capt), Brent Thompson, Gordon Slater, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn. Res: Daniel Smith, Jason Hooper, Scott Breman, Cory Holdaway, James Kerr, Mepi Faoagali, Denning Tyrell.

Bay of Plenty: Grant McQuoid, Sam Hala, Dale Rasmussen, Jason Tiatia, Damian Karauna, Glen Jackson, Chris Le Lievre, Wayne Ormond, Rodney Voullaire, Greg Rawlinson, Mark Weedon (capt), David Gorrie, Guy Shepherdson, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison. Res: Robbie Simpkins, Taufaa'o Filise, David Duley, Mark Sorenson, Rameka Poihipi, Tyrone Taiepa, Anthony Tahana.