Cribb gets chance to lead Harbour's NPC campaign

By CHRIS RATTUE

Ron Cribb will lead North Harbour in this year's NPC campaign.

The 15-test No 8 takes over from his long-time ally Troy Flavell, who shared the leadership with the departed Mark Robinson last year.

The squad, announced by coach Russell Jones yesterday, includes 12 players not used last season, including Cribb who was out through injury.

Recruits include Harbour's former test forward Blair Larsen, who has returned from Japan, South African lock Greg Rawlinson from Bay of Plenty, big East Coast prop Mike Noble, Hawkes Bay prop Pieter Bielski, lock/flanker Marty Veale from Canterbury, Rico Gear's brother Hosea - a wing - from Poverty Bay, and wing Dan Parkinson from Otago.

Rico Gear, Karl Te Nana and Hayden Reid were not considered through injury.

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North Harbour: Tusi Pisi, Nick Evans, Dan Parkinson, Scott Adams, Hosea Gear, Andrew Mailei, Rudy Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, Luke McAlister, Ben Meyer, Chris Smylie; Ron Cribb (c), Francis Stowers, Craig Newby, Matua Parkinson, Blair Larsen, Troy Flavell, Brent Wilson, Greg Rawlinson, Marty Veale, Mike Noble, Tevita Taumoepeau, tony Woodcock, Peter Bielski, Joe Ward, Slade McFarland. * Ben Atiga takes over at centre for Auckland when they meet Otago at Carisbrook, in the NPC opener on Friday night.

New Zealand Colt Atiga played a handful of games at wing and second five-eighths last season.

He takes over at centre from All Black Mils Muliaina, who finished the season at centre as Auckland took out the NPC title.

Prop Chris Heard would make his NPC debut if used from the bench.

Heard has replaced Nick White, who is out for four to six weeks with a calf muscle injury.

Auckland: Brent Ward, Iliesa Tanivula, Ben Atiga, Sam Tuitupou, Shannon Paku, Orene Ai'i, David Gibson, Xavier Rush (c), Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Angus Macdonald, Bryce Williams, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, Scott Palmer.

Res: Richard Kirke, Chris Heard, Bradley Mika, Sione Lauaki; Craig McGrath, Tane Tuipolotu, Isa Necewa.