Fri 30 Jul 2010
North Harbour will field four players making their ITM Cup debuts against Auckland in the Battle of the Bridge on Sunday.
Centre Brendon Watt, winger Alipate Fatafehi, halfback Grayson Hart and lock Matt Luamanu will all start in a new-look North Harbour team to be captained by prop Michael Reid.
Watt has plenty of experience with Wellington and Taranaki, Tongan international Fatafehi played for Western Province in last year’s Currie Cup, Luamanu was part of the triumphant NZ Under 20 team, while Hart is on loan from Auckland and has played for the Blues.
Head coach Craig Dowd is quietly confident his team, co-coached again this season by Jeff Wilson, can get off to a winning start.
“It is important we get to the level required building up to the game but also during the game we need to pour out more than just the usual standard of club rugby. Finding that level first up is a key for us but I know the North Harbour players really get up to play against Auckland.
“It has come at the right time for us playing them first-up and we are very excited about taking Auckland on. We have a squad we have total confidence in and the opportunities are there for the younger players to step in and prove they are good enough.”
North Harbour team:
1 Michael Reid (captain)
2 James Parsons
3 Ben Afeaki
4 Matt Luamanu
5 Shane Neville
6 Tom Chamberlain
7 Scott Uren
8 Richard Mayhew
9 Grayson Hart
10 Michael Harris
11 Alipate Fatafehi
12 Luke McAlister
13 Brendon Watt
14 Ken Pisi
15 Jack McPhee
Reserves:
16 Mike Mayhew
17 Taione Vea
18 William Whetton
19 Malakai Ravulo
20 Nalu Tuigamala
21 Ben Botica
22 Jack Tarrant
Unavailable due to injury:
James King (lock), Michael Farmer (lock), Filo Paulo (lock), Chris Smylie (halfback), Josh York (winger), James Afoa (prop).
Unavailable due to All Blacks commitments:
Anthony Boric (lock)