Will the south rise again? That question along with Ali Williams' future and whether North Harbour's Ranfurly Shield tenure will extend past its first major challenge are among the puzzles posed by round two of rugby's Air NZ Cup.

Two of those questions could be answered as early as tomorrow night -- though if Aucklander Williams follows Piri Weepu's lead, the fit again All Blacks lock may maintain the suspense regarding his desire to play for the Blues in 2008.

Weepu's shock demotion from the All Blacks was carefully handled, with the jilted halfback only coaxed to describe his disappointment earlier this week -- and not in the immediate aftermath of Wellington's record 68-7 drubbing of Otago.

Williams, who makes his return from a broken jaw against Bay of Plenty, is guaranteed to also attract scrutiny regardless of his performance in Mt Maunganui after news of a player revolt at the Blues surfaced yesterday.

Off contract at the end of the year and with Blues coach David Nucifora installed for another two campaigns, it seems likely the enigmatic second rower might ply his trade elsewhere. Whether he will be willing to outline his plans is another matter.

The other allegedly unhappy players, Joe Rokocoko and Tony Woodcock are still on a post-Tri-Nations rest and not available for comment.

Williams might also remain tight lipped, but further south a more definitive statement on Otago's future should be issued at Carisbrook in the second Friday game.

Northland's visit to what for them is still a House of Pain, should clarify whether Otago's disaster at Westpac Stadium was a one-off or the start of a downward spiral.

Historically the long trip south has been a forlorn exercise for the Taniwha given they have not won there since 1979.

However, after Otago's shambolic effort in Wellington the perennial underdogs may fancy an upset although influential David Holwell is back on his farm with a shoulder injury.

The veteran pivot was instrumental in Northland drawing with North Harbour last weekend and will be sorely missed although Daniel Bowden has plenty of promise.

Meanwhile, Otago coach Steve Martin had no shortage of supporters in the aftermath of the worst result of his tenure -- including former All Blacks and Otago mentor Laurie Mains.

"You can have lows, we're in one at the moment, but it's too early to judge this team," he said.

"If we think back a year they made the semifinals."

Optimists could also point out Otago made the 2001 NPC final with Canterbury after crashing to a then record 62-19 defeat against the same opposition in Dunedin.

"That is something that has given us the inspiration to go forward," Martin said.

"That's how we are dealing with it."

Martin was confident Wellington was on off-night -- a view reinforced by the fact he has only tinkered with his back three and not made wholesale changes.

"All teams are littered with results like that and the one's that have genuine character come out of it.

"There is more character in this team than was shown on Friday night."

While Otago are eager to atone for their opening round disappointment, their Highlanders' partner Southland don't appear to have the same scope to bounce back from a 41-13 loss to Hawke's Bay.

The Stags take on defending champion Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon, a task made all the tougher with the inclusion of Sione Lauaki on the bench.

Wellington will be expected to burst Hawke's Bay's bubble in Saturday's early match while the main event has Taranaki make what appears a viable tilt at the Log 'o Wood.

Buoyed by a 29-17 win over Tasman and North Harbour's scratchy stalemate in Whangarei, Taranaki head to Albany quietly confident of grabbing the shield for the first time since 1996.

"Hopefully we can build on that (Tasman) performance and give it a good crack. We've nothing to lose," said captain Tony Penn ahead of his fourth challenge.

North Harbour coach Wayne Pivac admitted there were several flaws to be addressed after reeling off a crippling error rate that included 35 turnovers and 23 handling errors.

"We were very lucky to get a draw, or maybe Northland weren't that good," Pivac said.

The round ends with Canterbury's potentially tricky visit to Counties Manukau on Sunday. Prop Greg Somerville (eye) and lock Michael Paterson (sternum) are out while Reuben Thorne is an unlikely starter due to a calf strain.