Harbour relish uphill struggle

By CHRIS RATTUE

"We've always had rough, tough sort of blokes in our teams."

With that statement, North Harbour coach Russell Jones threw down the gauntlet last night, saying his side would not be intimidated by Canterbury in Saturday night's Ranfurly Shield challenge.

The 39-year-old Jones, who played in Harbour's 1988 and 1990 challenges against Auckland, said the union was a "big-city minnow" which produced characters who liked an uphill contest.

While buoyed after thrashing winless Northland, they will be $6.50 underdogs in attempting to become the first Harbour side to win the shield in 10 attempts.

Jones believes they have an outside show of making the NPC semifinals, although all hope will be lost if they lose at Jade Stadium. But the shield is the name of this game.

"Some coaches say they just want NPC points but it is a lot more than another game to us," said Jones.

"Training will be the same as usual but ... we've put in extra analysis because it is a special occasion.

"To win [the shield] would make this a really memorable season.

"Promoting our players into the All Blacks and other teams is also an aim now, and they need to perform in big games.

"If you let a team like Canterbury intimidate you then you're goneburgers, and our group has some seasoned campaigners and certainly won't be intimidated.

"When we played Auckland in my day, they were the superpowers of New Zealand - world - rugby and we were little brothers across the bridge, but we weren't intimidated.

"There are a lot of challengers over the years who have wished they'd had more self-belief.

"Our blokes won't lie down or take a backward step. It's not in their nature ... "

North Harbour are injury free going into the game. Captain/halfback Mark Robinson and lock Matt Lord are ready for selection after knee problems kept them out of the Northland match.

Harbour are also set to continue with Luke McAlister at centre and Australian Tim Walsh at first five-eighths.

"Luke is such a talent," said Jones. "I'm not saying he can't play at 10, but at the moment it probably suits him having a bit more room at 13 and gives us the balance we need."