Robinson pledges loyalty to Harbour

By CHRIS RATTUE

Mark Robinson has given North Harbour supporters an assurance he will remain available for their NPC side, on the eve of their semifinal clash against Otago.

Robinson's aim next season is to play in the Super 12 for the Highlanders and in the NPC for North Harbour.

The 26-year-old halfback, who has made a strong bid to recapture his All Black jersey this season, has transferred to Otago so he can play for the Highlanders.

But if the national union allows it, Otago will release him back to North Harbour in a tricky deal designed to keep all parties happy while still following the rule book.

The issue is so complex, however, that Robinson is understood to have had another meeting with Blues officials yesterday. Sources said it was "unproductive."

Robinson will not comment on the Super 12 situation, but was adamant last night that he would remain a North Harbour player.

He has cemented his place as a Harbour icon after being elevated to the captaincy by coaches Wayne Shelford and Allan Pollock this season. And, after one of their finest seasons, he will lead Harbour into the semifinal against Otago at Albany on Saturday night.

That means he will square off against All Black Byron Kelleher, an ironic twist considering the off-field dealings.

Robinson signed with Otago to ensure he can play for the Highlanders afte Kelleher transferred to Auckland and thus the Blues.

Robinson said: "There is absolutely no doubt I will keep playing for North Harbour.

"I am not allowed to comment on the Super 12 situation ... but North Harbour is my home and that is where my loyalties lie. It is very important to me that I stay with them. I do want to make that clear to our supporters.

"We are making progress as a team and I want to continue being part of that."

It is impossible to ignore the clash between Robinson and Kelleher, halfbacks of similar physical styles, given the off-field dramas.

But Robinson said: "That is not even in the back of my mind. You go out there to play for your team and do what they need."

He was critical of his team's performance against Southland in Invercargill on Saturday, when Harbour clung to a 32-26 victory after rejecting a late assault on their line.

"We will work on our set pieces this week because we were beaten there," he said.

"I hardly got one clean ball all day and that makes it hard to have any vision in the game."

There might have been an element of complacency because Harbour knew they already had a place in the semifinals.

"But that's not good enough. Canterbury put those things out of their mind and play to a peak every week. That is the standard we must strive for.

"And Canterbury have done it against Super 12 franchise teams lately, while the only one we've played recently was Wellington, and we lost.

"Southland have a tough forward pack and we should thank them for the wake-up call."

Otago have no injuries, while North Harbour midfield back Mark Mayerhofler is fit after an 80-minute comeback in the B team. But wings Karl Te Nana (hand) and Aisea Tuilevu (knee) are in doubt.