Challenge of wearing maroon and black

Nobody said that starting a new rugby union in New Zealand would be easy and after an initial flourish through the third and second divisions, the doubters have largely been proved correct in the case of North Harbour.

It's been a tough struggle at times for North Harbour over 21 years, not helped by being cast as the black sheep of a couple of families in the professional era.

They have been entertainers and heartbreakers, getting close to the summit many times without anyone expecting them to plant the maroon and black flag on the top.

Harbour's greatest days were up until the mid-1990s, although even then they were left in the shadow of a powerful Auckland side. As the professional era unfolded, they were miscast in the Chiefs and, once again, found themselves in Auckland's wake with the Blues.

Until this week, Harbour's record was that of a classic sporting bridesmaid: 10 unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenges, plus one final and six semifinals lost in the NPC first division.

The snaring of the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury may be tagged North Harbour's finest hour, yet they've undoubtedly fielded stronger sides in the past.

A trawl through the list of Harbour players quickly reveals how tough the union has found it in recent years, surviving on a thin veneer of quality players who are forever being tempted away.

And while they didn't bring back Buck, they brought back just about everyone else. In the past six or seven years, North Harbour have boosted their player stocks with a liberal sprinkling of comeback veterans - Liam Barry, Blair Larsen, Frano Botica, Mark Mayerhofler, Glen Osborne ... even 2005-06 captain Rua Tipoki has returned after a detour. You can add coach Allan Pollock to that list, after he had a spell in Japan. There's also been a bit of rehab in there - Marc Ellis from league and Jonah Lomu from illness.

You've got to give North Harbour one thing - they make life interesting.

As a way of recalling the journey which led to the Ranfurly Shield this week, here's a stab at finding North Harbour's team of the current century.

Fullback: Glen Osborne
Remember him - you certainly would more than most of the other characters who've filled this spot. Take Nick Evans out of the fullback picture, and it leaves lean pickings at the back. Osborne had a handy comeback year in 2001 without setting the world on fire. A reminder of more glamorous North Harbour times.

Wings: Aisea Tuilevu and Rico Gear
Tuilevu could be as hard to nail on the field as he was off it during yes-no-yes negotiations with Otago. A classic case of a high-class player following the Super 12 trail, although of course provinces aren't actually allowed to make such promises. Of course not. Ditto for Gear and the Crusaders, oops Tasman. Gear also had fine periods for North Harbour in the centres. There are other sprightly wing contenders such as the speedy Karl Te Nana, but Tuilevu and Gear had the most goods.

Centre: Anthony Tuitavake
One of the Ranfurly Shield victors. Has nailed down centre in the past few seasons, and can certainly cut a few capers in the No 13 jersey without looking to have the overall class of the best in the land. A few extra kilos wouldn't go amiss, but still terrific to watch. Gear and Luke McAlister have been the other big-name centre options, but both prefer other positions.

Second Five-Eighths: Rua Tipoki
The first Harbour captain to lift the Ranfurly Shield, having also played in the Bay of Plenty team which lifted the log from Auckland. His main challengers in the Team 2000 are a couple of All Blacks in Walter Little and Mark Mayerhofler but they were past their prime for the period of this team selection. As much as anyone the sharp-stepping Tipokiand his somewhat troubled career sums up North Harbour's wild ride.

First Five-Eighths: Nick Evans
Was a revelation when switched from fullback by Russell Jones in 2003. A class act with a prodigious punt. There has been a remarkable parade of characters in this position since 2000 - Frano Botica, Mark Ellis, Willie Walker, Tusi Pisi, Luke McAlister and even an ordinary Aussie named Tim Walsh. Loads of talent, to be sure, but misfits and misfires aplenty as well. Evans was easily the best.

Halfback: Mark Robinson
A North Harbour legend. Also a classic case of how Harbour are not masters of their destiny. Got shafted by a complicated provincial and Super 12 wrangle - not enough room to explain it here - which summed up North Harbour's poor luck in such matters. Not always the greatest option taker, but a very effective cross between a terrier and a bulldog. His best competition for this team - remember that feisty South African Chad Alcock?

No 8: Ron Cribb
Maybe the greatest if, but and maybe in Harbour history. Yet another example of where North Harbour lost out because they're not in the Super 12 inner circle. Cribb flourished with the Crusaders but floundered with the Blues but make no mistake, an in-form Ron Cribb was a magnificent sight. He had a tendency to find the world was against him ... and might have had a point at the Blues. For the non-Ron brigade try Blair Urlich, an unsung hero and yet another case where Harbour were unable to keep a terrific provincial footballer in the mix.

Flankers: Matua Parkinson and Craig Newby
Formed a very useful double act for four seasons. What North Harbour wouldn't give for Newby, but the trouble is they don't have much to give in terms of Super 14 clout. Which is why Newby - of Bay of Plenty origins - has been roaring around for Otago and the Highlanders and is a classic example of the Super system robbing a less-influential province. Parkinson was hair, there and everywhere - more obvious than effective at times and a bit too obvious for referees, but still a standout on good days. Harbour have trialled around 15 flankers in the past seven seasons, but none endured the way Newby and Parkinson did.

Locks: Troy Flavell and Greg Rawlinson
Harbour said sayonara to Flavell on two counts - first he signed up for a Japanese club, then he linked with Auckland on his return. Yet another case of ... (yawn) ... yes, you've heard it all before. Controversial from the outset, but a terrific and powerful athlete. South African Rawlinson is rated a strong mauler and made it into the All Blacks after shifting from Bay of Plenty - North Harbour actually scored a rising player from another first division province - a not unheard of but still rare occurrence.

Props: Tony Woodcock and Tevita Taumoepeau
Mr Woodcock has to be the finest truly homegrown footballer to emerge from North Harbour, which is a strange scenario considering they are more famous for fielding crazy backs and mad-headed forwards. An All Black great in progress. Discovering a world-class tight forward in North Harbour is like finding a jackhammer in a jeweller's kit. Maximum effect with a minimum of fuss is the Woodcock game. Finding another A-grade prop at North Harbour is also like trying to find a jackhammer in a jeweller's kit. Taumoepeau may not have the dexterity of his younger brother Saimone but unlike a few other Harbour frontrankers Tevita could actually hold up a scrum.

Hooker: Slade McFarland
Stalwart Harbour man last heard of rumbling his considerable frame around France. You can still hear those footsteps coming though - McFarland was a barrel of possibilities for Harbour when he was fit and firing. Never in line to become a beep-test champion, but still casts a considerable shadow.

Coach: Allan Pollock
Always capable of talking a good game ... A man of eternal optimism, which is just about essential when you are coaching at Harbour. Has never cracked New Zealand rugby's inner sanctum though. Theories aplenty, especially when it comes to boosting his players in public. Success or failure - it's a hard one to call. Pollockprobably deserves more credit than he gets for keeping North Harbour floating near the top in a system that appears designed to leave them partially submerged.