Rugby: Plenty still at stake for BoP and Harbour

The motivation for Bay of Plenty at Albany tonight is obvious; at first glance it might be less so for North Harbour, but captain Anthony Boric sees it differently.

A look at the points table is all the explanation required to expect a fired-up Bay of Plenty running on to North Harbour Stadium. They sit sixth, two points off the top four, where they have been parked for the whole Air New Zealand Cup, until last weekend.

The last-moment try by Hawkes Bay wing Zac Guildford, to pinch the win, was a crushing blow for Bay of Plenty, and ultimately might cost them a semifinal spot.

Their only option is to win their final three games, starting tonight, with Bay of Plenty's assistant coach Steve Miln dropping into "must win" mode. "Last week's loss has made the side more determined than ever to make the semifinals," he said.

They have the cup's leading points scorer, Mike Delany, to run things and a combative forward pack including a lively loose forward trio of captain Colin Bourke and flankers Tanerau Latimer and Zac Hohneck.

So what of North Harbour, who are sitting second bottom? They want to finish inside the top 10. North Harbour haven't been mentioned as one of the four teams to be chopped at the end of the year, and playing record is only a small part of the equation.

However being inside the top 10 will make Harbour feel better about themselves when the New Zealand union sharpens its axe, after a season of several frustratingly tight defeats.

Boric, who returned from a long-term toe injury in time to lead them to a memorable 16-14 win over Auckland last month, likes the attitude of his teammates.

"I've been really impressed," the All Black forward said. "When I wasn't playing, I was at most trainings and the passion was right up there, because even though they were losing - and that's pretty demoralising - they were pretty competitive.

"They knew if they kept performing then something would happen and now we've had a couple of wins. Certainly heads haven't dropped."

Victories over Auckland and Counties-Manukau hinted at a late-season revival, before an 11-point loss to Waikato last week.

Boric, who will lead North Harbour from blindside flanker tonight, knows how demanding the championship can be for young players.

"It catches up on you. I remember my first year and it was pretty tough, but you get used to it," he said.

By contrast, Boric is fresh as a daisy, and relishing being back on the park after being sidelined since April. He has the possibility of an All Black tour to the Northern Hemisphere next month as an added spur.

His focus is on Harbour and playing well, but he admits the idea of the black jersey is at the back of his mind. Boric's philosophy is that if his form is good enough, he will give himself every chance of a recall.

Boric has teammates who will figure they are a good chance to get a Super 14 contract, the likes of lock James King, wing Rudi Wulf, openside flanker Tom Chamberlain and halfback Chris Smylie for starters.

"A lot of coaches perhaps watch the latter part of the season a bit more to see what the guys are made of.

"It's definitely a pretty important part of the season for the guys to play well for Super 14 selection."

Waikato head to Dunedin today knowing nothing less than a win will keep them on course for an extra week or two of football.

Coach Chris Gibbes has opted for an unchanged lineup from that which beat North Harbour last week, and fair enough too.

Nothing beats consistency and a win today will give Waikato four on the bounce. That is impeccable timing coming to the business end of the competition.

"I think the boys are quite confident with the way we're playing now," fullback Sosene Anesi said. "We've got the players to beat the big teams."

In today's other game, Southland host Tasman in perhaps the most important match of the round.

It's fifth at home to fourth and they will go into the contest at Invercargill knowing that defeat could be curtains in semifinal terms.

Tomorrow David Holwell plays his 100th game for Northland when they host Wellington in Whangarei, so there will be a celebration no matter the outcome.

Their run home is not pretty - away to Waikato next week and at home to high-flying Hawkes Bay - and they're long out of semifinal contention.

However, they have the capacity to trip up Wellington, who are third and firmly on track for the playoffs.

Albany, 7.35pm today

NORTH HARBOUR
Jack McPhee
Ken Pisi
George Pisi
Luke McAlister
Rudi Wulf
Mike Harris
Chris Smylie
Vili Ma'afu
Tom Chamberlain
Anthony Boric (c)
Filo Paulo
James King
Ben Afeaki
Mike Mayhew
Mike Reid

BAY OF PLENTY
Toby Arnold
Ben Smith
Nigel Hunt
Phil Burleigh
Jason Hona
Mike Delany
J. Poluleuligaga
Colin Bourke (c)
Tanerau Latimer
Zac Hohneck
Culum Retallick
John Moore
James McGougan
John Pareanga
Joe Savage

North Harbour: James Hanson, James Afoa, Chris Smith, Scott Uren, Nalu Tuigamala, Ben Botica, Nafi Tuitavake

Bay of Plenty: Dean Elmiger, Ted Tauroa, Mark Burman, Matt Henwood, Josh Hall, Cory Aporo, Zar LawrenceTo make the final four, motivated team need three wins from next three games