KEY POINTS:
Junior All Blacks utility Rudi Wulf needs to pass a fitness test on an ankle injury despite being named in the North Harbour rugby side to play Hawke's Bay in Napier on Friday night.
Wulf has Thursday's captain's run to prove his fitness for the fourth round Air NZ Cup clash at McLean Park, with rookie Michael Harris set to step into second five-eighth if he does not pass a medical.
Wulf, who played on the wing for the Blues and Junior All Blacks this season, was a casualty during Harbour's 13-13 draw at Counties Manukau last Friday night.
He is unlikely to be risked ahead of Harbour's second major Ranfurly Shield defence against Waikato next Saturday at Albany.
Captain Nick Williams has also been named at No 8 despite being laid low with a virus earlier this week.
Wing Jack McPhee returns to the run-on side after missing the Counties game after suffering a head knock against Taranaki in round two.
In another change to the squad from the side who squandered a 10-point lead late in their match against the Steelers, Shield-winning hooker Roger Dustow is recalled as the second hooker behind James Hinchco.
Dustow was surplus to requirements at the start of the season though he made a cameo appearance in the first Shield defence against Thames Valley.
He replaces Harbour's first choice rake Tom McCartney who has been recalled to Auckland squad after Derren Witcombe's retirement from all rugby this week due to a neck injury.
Meanwhile, Hawke's Bay have made two changes from the side beaten 17-23 by Tasman in Blenheim last Friday night.
Matt Egan replaces Lua Lokotui in the second row while flanker George Naoupu drops to the bench for Karl Lowe.
North Harbour
George Pisi, Villiame Waqaseduadua, Anthony Tuitavake, Rudi Wulf, Jack McPhee, Tusi Pisi, Daniel Deveraux, Nick Williams (captain), Tom Chamberlain, Anthony Boric, Greg Rawlinson, Ryan Wilson, Ben Afeaki, James Hinchco, James Afoa.
Reserves: Roger Dustow, Michael Reid, Chris Smith, Villiame Maafu, Brett Ingham, Michael Harris, Puanani Hunia.
- NZPA
