Harbour expecting big game from Williams

North Harbour No 8 Nick Williams will be looking for a good game tonight. Picture / Brett Phibbs

There's nothing quite like watching the bloke wearing your jersey score two tries to sharpen a footballer's senses.

And that's why North Harbour are expecting big things from No 8 Nick Williams when they face Taranaki at North Harbour Stadium tonight.

The rugged Blues player missed the opening Air New Zealand Cup win over Tasman last weekend with a niggling hamstring strain.

His replacement, Francis Stowers, stepped up to the job, scoring two of Harbour's five tries.

Harbour coach Allan Pollock reckons Williams has been freshened up by the week off.

He said Williams could have played in Blenheim at a pinch but it was not worth the risk.

And watching Stowers' strong effort "certainly sharpened his pencil", Pollock added.

Pollock is effusive on Williams' talent.

He got his chance at the Blues this year where he didn't look out of place and it poses the question whether Williams might be worth a punt at the end of this year from the national selectors.

Pollock believes it comes down to what specific qualities the selectors want from their No 8.

"The best thing about him is he's one of the most coachable young men you'll ever meet. He soaks up information like a sponge," Pollock said.

"This All Black environment has shown they have attention to detail and can grow players.

"I'd put it to that management team that Nick is a seed worth watering and growing."

A seed worth taking to France and Britain in November perhaps?

"The sky's the limit," Pollock said.

"Given the chance, he would explode on to world rugby."

For tonight, though, Pollock would settle for another win against a team he's got plenty of time for. Taranaki lost 30-14 to Wellington in New Plymouth last week, but went toe to toe with their senior Hurricanes partner for an hour.

They possess a rugged pack, quality lineout ballwinners in Jason Eaton and Paul Tito, a strong front row and hardworking backs who should make life difficult for the fleet-of-foot Harbour fliers. * Northland have made a cluster of changes for Canterbury's visit to Whangarei today, although injuries to hooker Tim Dow and captain and No 10 David Holwell haven't helped.

In the front row tighthead Stan Wright replaces Bronson Murray, who had a tough time against Southland last weekend, and Jamie Pinder takes Dow's spot.

Vula Maimuri replaces Daniel Goodwin at lock; David Gibson gets John Senio's halfback spot; Daniel Bowden takes Holwell's place; wing Gavin Clarke comes in for his debut and stand-in captain Hayden Taylor switches from fullback to second five-eighths, opening the way for Marshal Millroy to start at the back.

* Waikato kick off their campaign against Southland in Invercargill tonight, hoping to banish memories of their last-moment escape last season.

A Marty Holah try after the hooter got them the win but there's confidence they have the goods for a strong campaign after finishing a disappointing seventh last year.

* All Black hooker Anton Oliver returns to the starting XV for Otago against Hawkes Bay at Carisbrook tomorrow.

North Harbour v Taranaki
North Harbour Stadium, 5.30pm today

North Harbour
George Pisi, V. Waqaseduadua, Anthony Tuitavake, Luke McAlister, Rudi Wulf, Tusi Pisi, J. Poluleuligaga, Nick Williams, Regan Tamihere, Anthony Boric (c), Greg Rawlinson, Doug Fletcher, A. Donald/M. Reid, James Hinchco, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Roger Dustow, Donald or Reid, Vili Ma'afu, Daniel Kane, James Rodley, Puanani Hunia, Zar Lawrence.

Taranaki
Brendon Watt, Asalemo Malo, Mathew Harvey, Lifeimi Mafi, M. Tagicakibau, Miah Nikora, Brendan Haami, Jarrad Hoeata, Scott Waldrom, John Willis, Jason Eaton, Paul Tito (c), Census Johnson, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn.
Reserves: Laurence Corlett, Jake Eti, Tomasi Soqeta, Raymond Stark, Brett Goodin, Jack Cameron, Andrew Suniula.