Halfbacks are rivals' big worry

By WYNNE GRAY

Halfbacks Steve Devine and Jimmy Cowan are causing the most selection grief for Auckland and Southland in the lead-up to Saturday's NPC meeting in Invercargill.

Devine damaged ligaments in his left ankle last weekend and Cowan suffered a head knock, which will require him to pass the New Zealand Rugby Union concussion test if he is to play in round five.

Devine is unlikely to be ready this weekend but his deputy, Dave Gibson, has been in striking form in several appearances.

Auckland look as though they will also be without All Black wing Doug Howlett, who has damaged his leg, and Southland's Fijian international, Norman Ligairi, will miss the match because of a knee strain.

Howlett's absence will allow former Southland age-group rugby representative Mils Muliaina to move back into the team for his return home.

While Auckland accepted that Devine and Howlett were improbable starters, there was a solid medical report yesterday about tighthead prop Kees Meeuws.

He rolled an ankle last week, but was able yesterday to take a full part in a training session as the squad went through a variety of speed, agility and endurance tests and also played badminton in a local hall.

Coach Wayne Pivac was sure Meeuws would be ready, but wanted to mull over several other choices before announcing his side today.

"Our homework tells us this will be our hardest game since Taranaki," Pivac said.

"Southland are playing with great skill and passion, they have been good at home or on the road and they also have a lot of self-belief."

Two of the Southland pack, captain Corey Flynn and flanker Hale T-Pole, took little part in training yesterday.

Flynn has a bruised hip and T-Pole is nursing a broken nose after colliding with fellow flanker Ben Herring against Otago last week.

Southland have had only a solitary win this season, but they pushed Canterbury hard in a Ranfurly Shield challenge and were not disgraced in their match with Waikato.

Under coach Phil Young, who used to work at Otago with Tony Gilbert, Southland have shown they can bring a broader approach to their play as well as using their hardcore forward power.