Back to basics in Taranaki

By CHRIS RATTUE

North Harbour coach Allan Pollock has blasted his side's form before their NPC opener against Taranaki in New Plymouth today.

North Harbour struck a hiccup in their build up when floodlight failure caused their match against Waikato to be abandoned just after halftime.

But it was Saturday's loss to Bay of Plenty at Albany which caused Pollock's dark mood.

"We were tactically naive and maybe lacked in the one-on-one physical battles. We've got a great skill base, but sometimes the NPC is not just about skill."

Pollock has high praise for Taranaki.

"They do the simple things really well.

"They try to lock you in your territory and deny you the ball, and physically confront you up front.

"You don't find many more committed forward packs in the NPC."

Pollock admitted he was foxing over whether Luke McAlister would play first or second five-eighths, and won't confirm his side until this morning.

Fullback Andrew Whiteman, a prolific points scorer for University in Auckland before switching to North Harbour club Massey, will make his NPC debut, as will Northcote No 8 Nick Williams.

Taranaki will unveil their two Australian imports - first five-eighths Brock James and fullback James Hilgendorf - to a wider audience this evening.

Both are from New South Wales. James has played for Australian age-grade sides and the sevens, and Hilgendorf came off the bench for NSW against Scotland this year.

* Taranaki vs North Harbour, Yarrow Stadium, today 5.35pm

NPC points table

NPC fixtures