Canterbury NPC coach Marty Bourke's hopeful a few honest conversations will garner a response ahead of their third-round meeting with arch-rivals Auckland at Eden Park today

The red and blacks are coming off of a 22-7 away loss to Tasman last week in Nelson - where Canterbury conceded 17 penalties across the 80 minutes.

Bourke says they veered away from their blueprint.



James White gets a first start at 10 with Jone Rova outside him at second five in place of the injured Rameka Poihipi and Dallas McLeod - live commentary from 4.35pm on Gold Sport and iHeartRadio, and the same for tonight's Southland-Taranaki game at Rugby Park in Invercargill.