NPC showdown

By CHRIS RATTUE


Man of the moment Luke McAlister has been handed the No 10 jersey he covets for North Harbour's must-win battle against Bay of Plenty at Albany tomorrow.

McAlister's attempt to wriggle free to join the Hurricanes is one of the controversies swirling round North Harbour, whose players have shown little faith in their futures with the Blues.

North Harbour, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Taranaki take centre-stage in the final NPC round this weekend, as they battle for two semifinal places.

Wellington are already safe and Canterbury should pile on a cricket score against Northland to take another spot.

Greg Rawlinson was left out by Harbour yesterday because of a shoulder injury, with provincial stalwart Steve Jackson named in his place.

Crucially, Harbour's lineout suffered when Rawlinson went off against Waikato, but the little-used Jackson can be a trump in that department.

Waikato reported that injured fullback Isaac Boss came through the captain's run and will start against Taranaki in possible wet conditions in New Plymouth this afternoon.

Harbour coach Allan Pollock steered clear of the debate over which Super 12 team McAlister should play for, and what his best position is.

But he has moved the talented All Black-in-waiting from second to first five-eighths in place of Tusi Pisi - largely to give McAlister a major chance in his favoured position.

"I've said consistently through the year that part of my job is to help players further their careers," said Pollock.

"Luke has played at No 10 in every game this year even if he hasn't been named to start there, a point which has been missed.

"But he has said he wants to play at No 10 and this is a chance for him to prove a point."

That enables Rico Gear to move in to centre while still keeping dangerous attacker Anthony Tuitavake in the lineup, at second five-eighths.

North Harbour lost their toughest assignment at home to Wellington. Bay of Plenty - who have lost only once at home, to Canterbury - have found life tougher on the road, although they famously won at Eden Park.

Coach Vern Cotter welcomed not having to think about gaining a bonus point, which he believes has distracted players early in recent matches. And veteran loose forward Paul Tupai said the Steamers knew it was an all-or-nothing deal.

"They can glue the boys back together next week if necessary," he said.

Waikato held their captain's run at Francis Douglas College in New Plymouth, where coach John Mitchell and prop Deacon Manu were schooled.

A crowd of well over 10,000 is predicted to watch what is expected to be a titanic forward battle. Despite their injury horrors, Waikato could hold an edge in the backs with Taranaki midfielders Lifeimi Mafi and Matt Harvey still sidelined. That has forced coach Kieran Crowley to use Aussie fullback Jimmy Hilgendorf in the centres again.

Some key points going into the final round:

* Only Wellington are assured of a semifinal although Northland would have to pull off the greatest upset in NPC history to prevent Canterbury going through.

* Tied teams are separated by the results when they played each other.

* Victories to Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Canterbury - even without a bonus point - will assure them of a semifinal. A Wellington win over Southland will ensure they have a home semifinal.

* If Waikato lose to Taranaki, a North Harbour win - even without a bonus point - will get them into the semifinals at the expense of tomorrow's opponents, Bay of Plenty.

* If Taranaki gain two bonus points in defeat to Waikato, Harbour will need to win with a bonus point on Sunday.

* Whatever happens in the earlier games, sixth-placed Harbour will remain in contention.