Coach blasts North Harbour despite big win

1.00pm

Harbour coach Allan Pollock is not happy with his side's 40-16 win over NPC cellar dwellers Northland in Whangarei on Sunday.

Pollock said that by their own high standards the performance was very disappointing.

He said his side did not look after the ball and played as individuals. They may also have taken Northland too lightly.

Pollock said he knew that if his team fell behind it would turn it up a notch, but the actual standard of play did not make for a good game.

However, Pollock also gave credit to Northland, who he says are a very gutsy side.

Harbour led 23-16 at halftime but failed to display any dominance in the game until the last ten minutes.

North Harbour remain right in contention for the top four, wedged in behind Taranaki, Wellington and Waikato.

But the battle for semi-final places is looking tight. Taranaki have clung on to their lead despite their big 51-22 loss to Auckland on Saturday.

Wellington's loss to Bay of Plenty has allowed North Harbour and Waikato to catch up. Canterbury and Bay of Plenty are trailing by only a few points.

Auckland's win has taken them a step closer to contention, overtaking Otago to move into seventh spot.

Southland and Northland are holding up the bottom of the ladder with Northland still looking for their first win of the season.

- Newstalk ZB

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