Flavell return tipped for 'Battle'

By WYNNE GRAY

Former All Black Troy Flavell may be primed to start for North Harbour in Saturday's annual Battle of the Bridge at Eden Park.

Flavell has not played much rugby since injuring his knee in April, but after two spells as a substitute in the NPC, the loose forward appears ready to start against Auckland.

That decision will be made on Thursday after the coaching and medical staff have assessed the squad needed for round three of the NPC.

Loose forward Matua Parkinson is causing the greatest concern after aggravating a back injury yesterday.

Saturday's match will be the first time Russell Jones - who played in a handful of clashes as a loose forward in the late 80s and early 90s - has coached Harbour against Auckland.

"In those days Auckland were like the All Blacks, a bit like the Canterbury of today, and they were the team we always wanted to measure ourselves against," Jones recalled.

"I think the odds are much more even now and this game ... could come down to a kick at goal, a call or two, the bounce of the ball."

Jones has been heartened by the way teenager Luke McAlister has settled in at first five-eighths.

"He is progressing well and is a very disciplined young guy. He is a quick learner and we have been fortunate that he has Mark Robinson and Mark Mayerhofler alongside to help him."

Jones was disappointed at several aspects of his side's loss to Waikato. The lineout had not functioned well, he said, and too many penalties had been conceded. However, he had been heartened by their composure and resilience.

* Southland No 8 Paul Miller will appear before an NZRFU judicial panel tomorrow after being cited for trampling on the head of Wellington prop John Pale.

Miller was cited by commissioner Steve Hinds, and NZRFU complaints review officer Roger Drummond decided the incident was serious enough to warrant a judicial hearing.

East Coast forward Horace Lewis will also appear before the judicial panel after being sent off for stamping in his side's match against Thames Valley.

Under NZRFU rules, players red-carded face an automatic judicial hearing.

The union is still waiting to hear from All Black first five-eighths Andrew Mehrtens about his comments on South African referee Andre Watson in the final Bledisloe Cup test.