Both teams come into this fixture off the back of defeats last weekend. However, Northland have some decent home form to fall back on.
Key Stats - Northland Strong at Home
- Northland have won 3 of their last 4 home games.
- Northland have won 2 of their last 4 home fixtures against Taranaki.
- Taranaki have lost 3 of their last 4 away matches.
Taranaki Hold H2H Lead
Taranaki lead 8-3 in their last 11 matches against Northland.
Northland Reliant on Home Results
Northland scored two tries and a conversion in the first half against Bay of Plenty last weekend, going into the break trailing 24-12.
Taniwha mounted a comeback in the second half, scoring three tries and two conversions, but fell short, losing 34-31 to Bay of Plenty away from home.
Before that, Northland faced Manawatu in their opening match of the season, cruising to an easy 40-14 victory at home.
Northland have had a solid start to their National Provincial Championship campaign, and have registered three wins in their last four home games, giving them the edge needed to come out on top against Taranaki.
Taranaki Lost their Last Game
Taranaki scored two tries and a conversions in the first half against Waikato last weekend, going into the half-time break trailing 26-12.
The Taranaki Bulls improved in the second half, scoring three tries, a conversion, and a penalty, but could not close the points gap on Waikato, losing 38-32 away from home.
Before that defeat, the Taranaki Bulls comfortably beat Counties Manukau 20-5 away from home in their NPC season opener.
Taranaki have also had a solid beginning to their new season, but they have struggled to consistently win away from home recently, with three defeats in their last four outings in the National Provincial Championship.
Lineups & Team News
Northland
Terrell Peita scored a brace against Bay of Plenty last weekend.
Grady Forbes, Hudson Creighton, and Rob Rush scored a try each in the match.
Rivez Reihana kicked over three conversions.
Starting XV: Esile Fono, James Mullan, Marcel Renata, Allan Craig, Josh Goodhue, Rob Rush, Lachie Hooper, Terrelle Pita, Sam Nock, Rivez Reihana (C), Brady Rush, Hudson Creighton, Heremaia Murray, Nathan Salmon, Jordan Trainor
Replacements: Jordan Hutchings, Ollie Ryan, Ricki Heremaia, Darcy Holwell, Grady Forbes, Josh Renton, Jade Stewart, Reuben Stewart
Taranaki
Jesse Parete scored a brace against Waikato last weekend.
Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Sage Walters-Hansen, and Meihana Grindlay each contributed a try in the match.
Sam Clarke kicked over two conversions, while Rocky Olsen landed a penalty.
Starting XV: Jared Proffit, JJ Pokai, Marika Parker, Jayden Sa, Jesse Parete, Josefa Namosimalua, Olly Lawson, Sage Walters-Hansen, Adam Lennox, Sam Clarke, Kini Naholo, Haki Wiseman, Seta Tamanivalu, Vereniki Tikoiisolomone, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Neepkens (C)
Replacements: Harry Hansen, Keightley Watson, Dane Johnston, Scott Jury, Bradley Tocker, Quintony Ngatai, Rocky Olsen, Willem Ratu