Rugby: Loosies likely to be back for Friday

Dan Pryor. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A failed concussion test for Dan Pryor during his side's round six ITM Cup match versus Counties Manakau has apparently had no longer-term repercussions, with the loose forward looking likely to be fit to play against Bay of Plenty this Friday.

"He's passed the first test, now he just needs to be symptom free," Northland head coach Richie Harris said, referring to the ongoing monitoring of Pryor.

With the 1.90m loose forward also suffering a blow to the noggin during his Super Rugby season with the Highlanders, Harris said extensive head scans and data had been collated from the previous incident - a delayed concussion Pryor experienced after he clashed with one of his own teammates during a match versus the Chiefs earlier this year.

"Past history does come into it too," Harris said of the stringent measures in place regarding concussion.

"They've got a fair bit of data from Super Rugby ... he should be right for Friday."

Another in the frame to make a return for the Taniwha is loose forward Shane Neville.

He has made steady progress with a calf strain injury he picked up in the week prior to Northland's match with Taranaki.

"He got through a good set of straight line running yesterday," Harris said, adding Neville's physical presence had been missed in the last couple of rounds.