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North Harbour coach Wayne Pivac has every right to feel a touch nervous about the front row he is sending out to face Northland today.
Foot injuries to first-choice props Sam Biddles and Michael Reid mean Harbour will field a front row who can't muster a single start at national championship level between them.
Promising 19-year-old tighthead Ben Afeaki and 21-year-old loan hooker Tom McCartney will make their debuts this afternoon at I" Stadium. Loosehead James Afoa, the old head of the trio at 25, has made 12 appearances off the bench for Bay of Plenty over the past two seasons.
"It's a big challenge for those guys," Pivac said. "I think no matter who the opposition was [today] it is a big day for that row. They will want to start off well at this level and it is a great opportunity for them."
Pivac admitted he was a little apprehensive about the day's proceedings, after a three-year absence from coaching in New Zealand.
"You can have all the plans in the world and do all the homework and game plans and things but then there are the unknowns in rugby - weather, referees, injuries."
Harbour have already taken a few knocks with an injury list that also includes halfback Luke Hamilton, who broke his leg against Horowhenua-Kapiti, and young wing Ken Pisi (foot).
Junior Poluleuligaga has been drafted in to start at halfback and will remain with the team until he departs for the World Cup with Samoa.
A platoon of 10 players signed three-year contract extensions this week in a sign that Harbour are building for the future. Pivac drew a comparison with the Baby Blacks of 1986 but warned it was probably too early to expect great things from a young side that boasts 28-year-old lock Greg Rawlinson as its elder statesman.
"We don't expect them to reach their full potential this year by any means. We know we've got the nucleus of a side that can build and just keep getting stronger and stronger. The key for us this year is to make sure the older guys - the 25-year-olds - are on the field every week."
One of those key 25-year-olds, Blues centre Anthony Tuitavake, wasn't about to talk down his team's prospects.
"We've got to aim high," he said.
"I reckon we've got the potential to topple any team in this competition. Realistically I reckon we can play with the big boys. We showed in the [pre-season] game against Canterbury that we can mix it with them. We are going out there to take this competition out."
