Air NZ Cup preview: Focused Harbour should account for Otago

The lowdown: Harbour start today's quarter-final knowing they can beat Otago, as they did last month.

Knowing how and being able to do it are not the same thing, especially when it comes to Harbour, a province with real form at blowing up at the wrong time.

Otago also have a scenario today where the game could be the last for one of their warriors, Anton Oliver. One of the 22 being "reconditioned" during the Super 14, Oliver is highly unlikely to figure in this competition next year.

Since their last encounter, Harbour have gained Luke McAlister, Greg Rawlinson and Tony Woodock, while Otago have Oliver, Carl Hayman and James Ryan back on board.

It's marginal whose All Blacks will make more difference. Hayman, Oliver and Ryan will obviously add real bite to the Otago scrum and security to the lineout. Woodcock and Rawlinson will do the same for Harbour.

So the big difference could well be McAlister who could impose himself more on proceedings than the out-of-form Nick Evans.

Look out for: The scrum battle between Hayman and Woodcock. Arguably the best tighthead in the world packing down against one of the best looseheads in the world.

That should get really tasty and Ryan and Rawlinson will rip into each other as it is likely that only one of them will be chosen to go on the All Blacks' end-of-season tour.

What we think: Harbour's forwards will just about hang on and win enough ball to let a classy back division cause the damage.

It will be tighter than last time, but Harbour by a nose.

Harbour: George Pisi, Viliame Waqaseduadua, Anthony Tuitavake, Rua Tipoki, Rudi Wulf, Luke McAlister, Junior Poluleuligaga, Nick Williams, Regan Tamihere, Anthony Boric, Greg Rawlinson, Ryan Wilson, Mike Noble, James Hinchco, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Ngarimu Simpkins, Adrian Donald, Doug Fletcher, Vili Ma'afu, James Rodley, Tusi Pisi, Zar Lawrence.

North Harbour vs Otago
North Harbour Stadium, 4.35pm

Otago: Glen Horton, Karne Hesketh, Neil Brew, Callum Bruce, Matt Saunders, Nick Evans, Toby Morland, Adam Thomson, Josh Blackie (captain), Alando Soakai, James Ryan, Filipo Levi, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Keith Cameron. Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Chris King, Ezra Taylor, Tim Boys, Chris Smylie, Charlie Hore, Alipate Fatafehi.