Rugby: Harbour short of locks

William Whetton will almost certainly get one of the second-row starting spots. Photo / Sarah Ivey

North Harbour face a locking "crisis" ahead of their derby against franchise rivals Auckland on Sunday.

Blues squad member Filo Paulo, James King and Michael Farmer have all been ruled out of the opening week of the national provincial championship, which has seen Craig Dowd reach deep into his reserves for replacements.

"We've lost three of our frontliners so there's a bit of a crisis at lock but it gives someone else an opportunity, which is what it's all about," he said.

The crisis has paved the way for a famous name to re-enter the fray.

William Whetton will almost certainly get one starting spot. The 21-year-old son of former All Black captain Gary will link arms with Takapuna's Shane Neville in a rookie second row.

Neville was not part of the 28-man North Harbour squad named last week.

"They've been training well all week," Dowd said. "The locks we will start haven't played at ITM Cup level yet, but those are the cards you're dealt when you get your top three injured. It can't be helped."

North Harbour's recruitment has been minimal this season, but lock would have been one position they would have felt comfortable about going into the season.

Anthony Boric is their centrepiece, but Dowd knew he would get little access to him during the international season. Not so the others.

Paulo would have been counted on to take what he learned during his first Super 14 season - he was called into the Blues to replace Ali Williamsafter the All Black tore his Achilles tendon in a pre-season match - but cracked his sternoclavicular joint in a pre-season match against Counties Manukau last week.

Workhorse second-rower Farmer broke his collarbone in the same match and both will miss a considerable chunk of the season.

King, who many felt was unlucky to miss Super 14 selection this year, is still a couple of weeks away from returning from shoulder surgery.

It is not just at numbers four and five that there are issues.

Highly touted prop Ben Afeaki, who Dowd believes will be pushing for a spot on the All Blacks' end-of-year tour, is doubtful after taking a knock to his ribs and No 8 Mathew Luamanu is also in question with a hyper-extended elbow.

"We've got four or five players who are beaten up and are doubtful for the weekend," the second-year Harbour coach said.

Dowd will name his team tomorrow, as will Auckland coach Mark Anscombe.