Wellington, Sept 3 NZPA - Having digested their first Air NZ Cup hiccup, Bay of Plenty must now brace for a Canterbury side who have spent the week coming down from domestic rugby bliss.

By crushing Wellington 36-14 last weekend, Canterbury not only lifted the Ranfurly Shield but they thrust themselves as cast-iron favourites to defend their provincial championship title.

They managed to snaffle the competition lead off Bay of Plenty, who were outplayed surprisingly easily by Auckland.

The 14-29 loss at a soggy Eden Park unveiled a new side to Bay of Plenty, as their impeccable forward play, tight-fisted defence and disciplined kicking game of first five-eighth Mike Delany were missing for the first time this season.

They must rediscover those traits at Mt Maunganui against a Canterbury team admittedly weakened by the absence of a handful of not-half-bad players in All Blacks Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter and Brad Thorn.

Newcomer Ash Parker, Stephen Brett and Luke Romano take their places at No 8, first five-eighth and lock, respectively, while a shoulder injury to lock James Broadhurst means a starting position for Sam Whitelock.

As well, Canterbury coach Rob Penney has opted for Corey Flynn to start at hooker, Andy Ellis at halfback, Adam Whitelock at centre and Tu Umaga-Marshall on the wing.

Penney said it was important for his players to banish all thoughts of the Ranfurly Shield until next week when they prepare for their first defence against Otago.

"The challenge for the players is to put all thoughts of winning the shield behind them and concentrate on this match against a very good Bay of Plenty team," he said.

" Bay of Plenty have been playing well and have only lost one game so it won't be easy for us."

The only other team with a 4-1 win-loss record are second-placed Southland, who should be too strong when they host 12th-placed Northland in tonight's opening match to the sixth round.

After that, predicting winners isn't straightforward although Wellington should rebound from their shield shellacking against bottom-placed Counties-Manukau at Pukekohe tomorrow night.

Taranaki host North Harbour tomorrow, hoping to inflict more agony on a side who promise plenty but are winless since round one.

All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock's first appearance for North Harbour in nearly three years is a boost while they will hope Rudi Wulf can produce the goods at fullback as he did for the Blues during this year's Super 14.

Tasman and Manawatu are both coming off two-point losses and will be desperate to bounce back in a match at Nelson on Saturday between two sides who have both played surprisingly well despite the threat of demotion at season's end hanging over them.

Waikato and Hawke's Bay will both be unhappy at residing in the bottom half of the table, even if they remain well within sight of the top four.

However, the losing side at Hamilton on Saturday will face a tough scrap over the second half of the season to reach the playoffs.

Auckland will hope for a little more Sunday delight when they travel to Dunedin, but will be wary of an Otago side who played some dominant rugby in crushing Northland last weekend.

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