Glint in Harbour eyes for looming Shield bid

North Harbour 28 Otago 18

North Harbour, in their 21 years as a union, have had such a poor Ranfurly Shield record that most would regard with no more than cautious optimism their chances in next weekend's challenge against Canterbury.

But after yesterday's win over Otago at Albany in the top six match in the Air New Zealand Cup, which has probably confirmed a home venue for the quarter-finals at least, there was a clear glint glowing in the eyes of the Harbour players and their leadership.

Coach Allan Pollock agreed that the win had been a boost for next Sunday's shield match.

But, mindful of Harbour's shield history which as recently as 2002 has included a 65-10 loss to Canterbury, he did not to beat the drum too loudly.

"We want to go with a positive performance like this behind us," he said. "But there was also enough there for us to keep our feet on the ground."

As much as anything Harbour would be making a win a priority to gain a possible top-two spot for the quarter-finals, but whatever the other pressures, Pollock said, Harbour would be going out to attack - "as all good challengers should do".

Harbour will have at least two of their All Blacks - Luke McAlister in the backline and Greg Rawlinson at lock - but it appears that the one they probably need the most, prop Tony Woodcock, won't be there.

All Black coach Graham Henry has tagged Woodcock's return to the provincial premiership as the weekend after next, when Harbour play their last top six match against Waikato.

If Harbour are vulnerable it is probably in the setpieces and these posed some difficulties yesterday, particularly when battling into the stiff breeze in the first spell.

But it was in this period that Harbour may have done the most to achieve their win with a gritty defence which restricted Otago to a halftime lead of only 13-6.

Otago's big danger man was the former Harbour man at first five-eighths, the talented Nick Evans. But as Pollock pointed out, no one knows what he can do better than his old team-mates and a big part of Harbour's strategy was to cut down his space.

Three times in the final 15 minutes of the first spell Otago crossed Harbour's line, but the only success came when, with some deft help from prop Keith Cameron, centre Neil Brew eventually scored.

With the wind Harbour improved in all areas and, with tries in rapid succession between the 57th and 67th minutes, wrapped up the match.

Fast developing halfback James Rodley scored the first and the others went to centre Anthony Tuitavake and No 8 Nick Williams.

Otago countered with a neat stab kick by replacement Callum Bruce to give Brew a second try.

Otago's problems compounded with the loss to injury of lock Tom Donnelly and their quarter-finals hopes now will hinge on whether he can be covered by the expected return of last year's All Black James Ryan.

Having already failed to lift the shield, Otago are in good position to assess Harbour's chances and coach Steve Martin agreed that with their speed they were in contention.

He stressed Harbour would need an 80-minute effort against Canterbury.