North Harbour coach not worried by departures

NORTH HARBOUR: 2001 - 2nd

A large slice of what new coach Russell Jones describes as intellectual property will be missing from North Harbour's squad this season.

Gone from last year are both first five-eighths Willie Walker (transferred to Otago and the Highlanders) and Frano Botica, finally retired at 39, two other former All Blacks in Liam Barry and Glen Osborne who have gone to Japan, and the gifted midfield back Rua Tipoki.

Compounding those absentees have been the season-ending injuries of talented three-quarter Rico Gear, and No 8 Ron Cribb, an All Black of 2000 and last year. There has also been an injury concern for the past four months over another of Harbour's former All Blacks, Troy Flavell.

"There is not much doubt that we have lost a lot of experience but we do have a lot of talent left," Jones said.

Whether there is sufficient there for Harbour to repeat last year's commendable effort remains to be seen. Under the coaching of Wayne Shelford and Allan Pollock, Harbour finished second in the round robin, only to be beaten in the semifinals by an Otago side making an impressive late run.

Also last year, Harbour were the only New Zealand province to beat Canterbury.

Having already suffered enough, Harbour will not want any more serious injuries because the union's playing depth does not stretch as far as the likes of Canterbury, Auckland or any of the other Super 12 host unions.

That explains perhaps why Harbour have continued a policy, which is not popular with everyone in the union, of importing overseas players, mainly from Australia. Back as one of the locks will be the Australian-born Italian international Mark Giacheri.

Yet Harbour still have a good measure of Super 12 experience. In the backline are former All Blacks Mark Mayerhofler and Mark Robinson. There is optimism that Flavell will recover to provide leadership from either lock or blindside flank, Tony Woodcock is one of the country's most promising props and three outstanding loose forwards are available in Blair Urlich, Matua Parkinson and Craig Newby.

Jones rates this trio as one of the best in the country and each has a thorough background in the Super 12 with the Blues or the Highlanders and with the New Zealand Maori team.

One other problem has been the many disruptions Harbour have suffered from their contributions to national sides despite not having anyone in the All Blacks this year.

Wing Karl TeNana, the promising Anthony Tuitavake and Newby went to Manchester with the sevens squad for the Commonwealth Games while Hayden Reid and Nick Evans were in sevens trials.

Jones said that even when they returned to the 15-a-side game there was a period of readjustment because sevens involved different training and a mindset based around avoiding too much physical contact.

As well as the sevens needs, Harbour had players overseas with the New Zealand Maori and New Zealand colts teams. As a result, there has been a limited preparation although there was a week-long camp at Whangamata last month and two practice matches this month against Taranaki and Northland.

Harbour have a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury, scheduled for September 28.

GAINS

Hayden Reid, the former national sevens player, from Otago, lock Mark Giacheri, imported again from Italy, and Andrew Gallagher, capable of playing lock or blindside flanker and with a good background with Wellington and New Zealand Colts. A useful back, Scott Adams, has also returned from studying at Cambridge University.

LOSSES

Glen Osborne, Liam Barry, Rua Tipoki and Ace Tiatia (all overseas), Frano Botica (retired), Van Humphries (not released from Australia) and Ron Cribb and Rico Gear (injured).

STRENGTHS

Pace on the outside in Karl TeNana and Anthony Tuitavake, athletic forwards in the loose in Blair Urlich, Matua Parkinson, Craig Newby and Troy Flavell. Slade McFarland is an experienced hooker, Tony Woodcock will be an All Black prop soon, Tevita Taumoepeau has played for Tonga and in the Super 12 and in Joe Ward, John Buchanan and Adrian Donald there is considerable promise.

WEAKNESSES

Some of the inexperience in the backline, notably the fact that Harbour will probably rely on two teenaged first five-eighths, Luke McAlister and Tusi Pisi. But both are exceptional prospects and coach Russell Jones says they will have two vastly experienced players in Mark Robinson and Mark Mayerhofler nearby.

PROSPECTS

Harbour brought off a mighty achievement in finishing second in last year's round robin and in gaining a home semifinal. They don't appear to have quite the same resources this year and may be struggling to get beyond the middle of the table. But there is a number of fine players in the squad and, while luck may be needed, they look capable of causing upsets again.

NORTH HARBOUR SQUAD

Backs: Nick Evans, Hayden Reid, Rodd Penney, Anthony Tuitavake, Karl TeNana, Dan Robinson, Tusi Pisi, Graham Smith, Mark Mayerhofler, Luke McAlister, Mark Robinson, Chris Smyllie, David Alo.

Forwards: John Buchanan, Adrian Donald, Troy Flavell, Andrew Gallagher, Mark Giacheri, Matt Lord, Craig Newby, Matua Parkinson, Tevita Taumoepeau, Blair Urlich, Joe Ward, Tony Woodcock, Malua Tipi, Tim Cowley, Jay Cowley, Slade McFarland, Andrew Jackson.