Stags have chance to set tone of their campaign

If the Stags needed any reminder of the importance of a good start to the national provincial championships, they got one on Thursday night.

Home team Taranaki was heavily favoured to beat an unfashionable-looking Northland in the opening game of the 2010 season.

Inspired by All Black wing Rene Ranger, the Taniwha turned the tables with a 26-19 win in a game in which both teams struggled to find any real fluidity.

Southland will know they can't afford a similar sort of start in a game they must win.

While it's only the first game of the season, the Stags have an ideal chance to set the tone of their campaign.

Having looked an average Ranfurly Shield holder at halftime in both their defences against North Otago and Wanganui, it's time for this Southland team to show a bit of intent.

It may not get a better chance.

Manawatu, shorn of several of their best players from last season, will struggle to avoid the wooden-spoon this year and even at home should be seen as an extremely beatable proposition.

If there is a negative from having the Shield, it has meant Southland not playing a fellow first division team during their preseason, which means this afternoon's match is as close as the Stags will get to a dress rehearsal for next weekend's Shield defence against The Enemy.

There are some key questions for Southland to answer in Palmerston North.wHow have the Stags adjusted to the new rule interpretations?

In Turbos coach Dave Rennis, Stags co-coaches David Henderson and Simon Culhane are coming up against an experienced and skilled operator.

Southland showed a willingness to hold possession and run the ball against their Heartland opposition during the past three weeks, but there were signs when things got tough that the Stags would revert to a kick-chase game.wCan the Stags' form players convert that form into the national provincial championship?

Culhane has rightly given his best performers an opportunity against the Stags.

In doing that he has taken a risk by playing the likes of Glen Horton out of position.

The main area of interest will be the inside backs, with James Wilson and Matt Saunders getting scant time to forge a combination.

Wilson has played his way into this team, giving Culhane the opportunity to play Robbie Robinson at fullback – a position many believe he is better suited to.

Saunders offers many of the traits that Jason Kawau added to the Southland backline and this could be the move that reignites his career.

Manawatu have a blue-collar forward pack, but if the home team can secure enough quality ball, the Turbos could threaten through the likes of Shannon Paku and Lote Raikabula.

Look for a strong second-half performance from the Stags to produce a bonus-point win.

THE LOWDOWN

Manawatu v Southland, today at 2.35pm, FMG Stadium, Palmerston North

MANAWATU: Craig Clare, Shannon Paku, Hadleigh Parkes, Francis Bryant, Lote Raikabula, Isaac Thompson, Aaron Smith, Mitchell Crosswell, Doug Tietjens, Nick Crosswell, Reece Robinson, Mike Fitzgerald, Ma'afu Fia, Sean O'Connor, Grant Polson. Reserves: Rob Foreman, Shane Kingsland, Hamish Gosling, James Oliver, Karyl Bryson, Tomasi Cama, Casey Stone.

SOUTHLAND: Robbie Robinson, Glen Horton, Kendrick Lynn, Matt Saunders, Mark Wells, Robbie Robinson, Scott Cowan, Elliot Dixon, Tim Boys, John Hardie, Joe Tuineau, Josh Bekhuis, Chris King, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Nic Barrett, Dion Bates, Kane Thompson, Nick Annear, Pehi Te Whare, Tony Koonwaiyou.

TAB odds: Southland $1.25, Manawatu $3.75
History: 1905-2009: Played 38 times, Southland 15 wins, Manawatu 20 wins, three draws.
Last match: Manawatu 25 Southland 23, August 14, 2009 at Invercargill (ANZC)
Last Southland win: Southland 18 Manawatu 5, August 8, 2008, at Palmerston North (ANZC)
Forecast: Fine, clouding in later. Temp. 12degC.

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