Rugby: Dowd happy with mix of youth and experience

North Harbour coach Craig Dowd. Photo / Getty Images

North Harbour coach Craig Dowd and assistant Jeff Wilson say their 26-man squad for upcoming Air NZ Cup rugby campaign is a balance of youth and experience.

" We have a number of young players in our squad who have come through our development program and will make their debuts in the Air New Zealand Cup this year," Dowd said.

"This is balanced by the availability of 2008 All Blacks Anthony Tuitavake, Rudi Wulf and Anthony Boric who will bring experience to the group.

"The Cup is now very much a development competition and our approach has been focused around promoting our local players."

Tuitavake, playing his ninth national championship season, has been named captain.

" Anthony personifies what North Harbour Rugby is about, a home grown player who has played at the highest level, and Jeff and I believe he will provide strong leadership to this group," Dowd said.

North Harbour squad
James Afoa, Mike Reid, Ben Afeaki, James Parsons, Michael Mayhew, Anthony Boric, Filo Paulo, James King, Chris Smith, Malakai Ravulo, Tom Chamberlain, Richard Mayhew, Robbie Colhoun, Vili Ma'afu, Chris Smylie, Matt France, Mike Harris, Ben Botica, Andrew Mailei, Anthony Tuitavake, George Pisi, Nafi Tuitavake, Josh York, Rudi Wulf, Jack McPhee, Ken Pisi.

- NZPA