Ranby ready for Waikato return as McLeod injured

By WYNNE GRAY

Waikato 30 Northland 23

When key Waikato midfield back Scott McLeod tore his hamstring against Northland, the coaching staff could offer one sigh of relief.

They had seen enough in the curtainraiser to know that All Black squad member Mark Ranby was ready to return in his place for Friday's next NPC clash, with Auckland at Eden Park.

With three talented midfielders, Keith Lowen, McLeod and Ranby, the provincial selections could have been a juggling act without an occasional injury. It was not nice, but it helped.

Ranby was hampered by a leg injury until the weekend and now McLeod will be out for several weeks with a hamstring tear.

After their pack contained the rugged Northland forwards, Waikato used their backline to telling effect for the win on Saturday at Whangarei.

"They had too much class in their backline. Apart from David Hill, all the others have played for the All Blacks or been in the national squad," Northland coach Bryce Woodward said.

"Late in the game they exposed us.

"We had been working hard, but had lost a couple of players with injury, and it told in the end."

Waikato had a huge territorial advantage, but they had to work hard to puncture the determined Northland defensive line.

What pleased assistant Waikato coach Ian Foster most was his side's set-piece prowess against Northland's strength.

"We made a lot of handling errors, but I think that was a case of over-urgency rather than us not concentrating," he said.

"We also spent a lot of time in their 22 and perhaps did not capitalise as much as we wanted, but they were very resilient."

Out wide, the bustle of Lowen, the strikepower of Roger Randle and Bruce Reihana, and the intrusions of Todd Miller always presented a danger.

Although Lowen showed plenty of zest, his timing was a little rusty after a long layoff. However, his confrontation with an equally robust Eroni Clarke on Friday should be a fascination of the next round.

Hill had an off-day with his usually reliable goalkicking, but showed a lively running game which troubled the inside defence.

Waikato are still not sure whether their captain Deon Muir will have recovered from rib problems, and another loose forward, Jonno Gibbes, is a most unlikely starter.

Northland have the bye, which will allow some of their casualties to recover.