Northland come into this fixture in good form while Southland have lost five of their last six. I am backing a home win here.
Key Stats - Northland in Fine Form
- Northland have won 5 of their last 7 fixtures.
- Northland have won 2 of their last 4 away games against Southland.
- Southland have lost 5 of their last 6 games.
Northland Hold Recent Advantage
Northland lead 7-6 with one draw in their last 14 matches against Southland.
Southland Struggling for Results
The Southland Stags could only score a converted try in the first half against Canterbury last weekend, going into the half-time break trailing 17-7.
Southland added two converted tries to their tally in the second stanza, but it was not enough, losing 34-21 away to Canterbury.
Earlier in their campaign, the Stags lost 41-14 to Otago at home and 36-35 to Manawatu away, beat Waikato 32-31 at home, lost 46-17 away to Tasman, and 47-24 away to Counties Manukau, then beat Bay of Plenty 43-12 at home before losing 55-19 away to Taranaki.
Southland are 13th in the National Provincial Championship standings with 13 points from nine games.
The Southland Stags have not had much success this season, having lost five of their last six matches, and they have suffered five defeats in their previous seven home games.
Northland Winning Regularly
Northland scored two converted tries in the first half against Counties Manukau at home last weekend to lead 19-5 at the break.
However, the Taniwha could only add a single try to the score in the second half, opening the door for Counties Manukau to come out on top 22-19.
Before that disappointing performance, Northland thumped Manawatu 40-14 at home, lost 34-21 away to Bay of Plenty, and defeated Taranaki 42-0 at home, Canterbury 36-12 away, and Tasman 20-10 at home, and lost 57-42 away to North Harbour before beating Waikato 34-17 at home, and thrashing Wellington 52-28 away.
The Taniwha are third in the National Provincial Championship table with 33 points from nine matches.
Northland will start confidently against Southland, as they have recorded five victories in their last seven games, and must win their final fixture of the regular season to secure a home play-off game.
Team News & Starting Lineups
Southland Stags
Michael Manson, Sean Withy, and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa scored a try each against Canterbury last weekend.
Mika Muliaina slotted two conversions in the match, while Jimmy Taylor kicked over one conversion.
Starting XV: Jack Sexton, Jayden Henderson, Fehulk Latu, William Kirkwood, Ale Aho, Sean Withy (C), Gregor Rutledge, Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, Nic Shearer, Mika Muliaima, Denzel Samoa, Fletcher Morgan, Wil Gualter, Michael Manson, Glen Vaihu
Replacements: Shaun Kempton, Jack Barrett, Darius Fidow, Junior Ahokovi, Konrad Toleafoa, Jackson Hughan, Josh Jennings, Josh Augustine
Northland
Sam Nock, James Ramm, and Corey Evans each crossed the try line against Counties Manukau last weekend.
Rivez Reihana landed two conversions in the match.
Starting XV: Esile Fono, James Mullan, Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue, Allan Craig, Grady Forbes, Lachie Hooper, Simon Parker, Sam Nock, Rivez Reihana (C), Heremaia Murray, Reesjan Pasitoa, Corey Evans, Nathan Salmon, James Ramm
Replacements: Jordan Hutchings, Olly Ryan, Daniel Botha, Darcy Holwell, Heath MacEwan, Josh Benton, Reuben Stewart, Jordan Trainor