Freak mishap crocks Tipoki

By WYNNE GRAY

North Harbour midfield back Rua Tipoki will miss the rest of the NPC round-robin games after a freak training accident.

Tipoki was in the gym yesterday with the rest of the squad doing stretching exercises when a weight fell and broke bones in both his hands.

He later had surgery to repair the damage and is expected to miss about six weeks of rugby, with a return likely if the Air New Zealand-sponsored competition leaders Harbour carry on and make the playoffs.

The injury will put even greater strain on Harbour's backline resources, with Mark Mayerhofler still troubled by a groin strain and Scott Adams also out with a compound fracture in a hand.

Troy Flavell was operated on yesterday afternoon to correct the patella tendinitis in his knee which has afflicted him this season. He will not play any more rugby this year.

Harbour travel to play Bay of Plenty this weekend with interest in how coach Wayne Shelford will accommodate All Black No 8 Ron Cribb, seeing his three loose forwards, Blair Urlich, Matua Parkinson and Craig Newby are all playing so well.