Build-up begins for battle of the bridge

By WYNNE GRAY

The annual Battle of the Bridge breakfast tomorrow will be more appetising for Auckland and North Harbour than the aftermath of their opening NPC rugby defeats last weekend.

Training menus have been revamped as the provincial neighbours eye a match which will be a significant selection gauge for Blues coach Peter Sloane as he contemplates his next Super 12 squad.

Auckland beat franchise partners Northland then walloped North Harbour 43-7 in the derby last season and filled most of the Super 12 selections.

Auckland have eight players unavailable because of All Blacks commitments and, if their provincial teammates again beat North Harbour on Saturday, they will be hard to dislodge from the Super 12 squad.

Auckland's stomachs may be less acidic after a narrow 3-6 away loss to Otago in dreary weather while North Harbour will be churning after a careless defeat against Bay of Plenty.

That loss brought an extra training session today for North Harbour, one which resulted in a few minor casualties for coach Russell Jones to ponder before he picks his side.

Lock Troy Flavell sat out practice after damaging an ankle against Bay of Plenty but is expected to be fit for Saturday's game at Albany.

Auckland lock Angus Macdonald was also having a few worries about a hamstring strain while coach Wayne Pivac was considering a few selection ideas.

Prop Soane Tonga'uiha has been cleared to resume contact work after suffering a serious arm injury when he fell through a plate glass window.

His return will ease some of the strain on the squad's resources.

Another prop, Nick White, is still unavailable because of a calf strain while Scott Palmer had been brought out of retirement to cover for his injured colleagues.

Another player Auckland will consider is former Melbourne Storm league standoff Tasesa Lavea.

He has played a trial game for the squad and had half a match for the development team after recovering from a knee injury.