Auckland get defensive message

Auckland have made four changes to their starting line-up as they attempt to redeem themselves in tomorrow night’s Mitre 10 Cup crossover clash with Northland at Eden Park.

Auckland have had to rethink their attitude and strategy after a 43-3 hiding from Canterbury last Saturday.

Tackling was the major issue, as opposed to the effects of the breakdown law trials. Coach Nick White did not need to look at the defensive stats to know Auckland had not made one-on-one tackles on a consistent basis.

“Canterbury were always going to be up, especially at home,” says White. “We got off the line really well, but just missed tackles and there’s not really any excuse for that.

“We were always going to give away 2-3 penalties at the breakdown with the Super boys coming back with the new rules, but we gave away another 4-5 on top of that, which cost us big time.”

White is expecting Northland to present a far sterner test than in 2015, when Auckland crushed the Taniwha 64-21 at Eden Park. Led by outstanding loose forward Kara Pryor, Northland showed plenty on attack before losing narrowly 34-27 to Manawatu in Whangarei.

“They played well, so we’ll be on the back foot if we miss our tackles again. It’ll be good to hold on to the ball for some phases to put them under pressure.”

Lolagi Visinia returns from the illness that ruled him out of last month’s Gallaher Shield club final, and will wear the 14 jersey, while Vince Aso moves out one to replace Rieko Ioane, now with the All Blacks. Manukau’s Calvary Fonoti, a multiskilled footballer, will play at second five, where he offers a different kicking and passing option.

Kurt Eklund will start at hooker with Greg Pleasants-Tate nursing a niggle and Akira Ioane will don the unfamiliar No 7 jersey in place of Joe Edwards. White says this should not change how the older Ioane plays too much.

Manukau loose forward Josh Kaifa and College Rifles wing Joe Ravouvou are in line to make their debut off the bench.