Rugby: Bring on the Auks, say Harbour

By Chris Rattue

North Harbour have welcomed an NPC semifinal clash against Auckland, saying the local derby rivalry will bring out the best in them.

The Battle of the Bridge between the first and fourth seeds at Eden Park on Saturday night, and the clash between Waikato and Wellington in Hamilton on Saturday afternoon, will determine this season's NPC finalists.

The South Island heavyweights, minus their stack of All Blacks, have been shut out of the semifinals, leaving in-form Auckland as hot favourites.

But Harbour assistant coach Allan Pollock said last night that his players would relish the battle against their nearest foes.

"Ron Cribb and Troy Flavell said last week they hoped we would play Auckland. We won't need a team talk, that's for sure," said Pollock.

"That's the rivalry involved and we welcome it. The three other teams will fear us because we are unpredictable.

"You can look at the tapes of all the games and see what everyone else does, but you never know with us."

North Harbour, led by a brilliant, energetic loose forward trio of Cribb, Matua Parkinson and Blair Urlich, have strung together five consecutive wins to make the semifinals, after gaining just a draw from their opening four encounters.

The lightweight Parkinson has been a revelation in a Josh Kronfeld-type role, getting to the breakdowns first and also being able to stay on his feet while fighting for possession on the ground under the tackle-ball rule.

It is the first time in four seasons North Harbour have made the semifinals, while it is Wellington's first visit to the playoffs since the finals format was introduced in 1992.

Auckland were without the highly influential Eroni Clarke (hamstring) for Saturday's 50-15 win over Counties Manukau, but he will be fit for Saturday night. However, halfback Steve Devine (ankle) remains in doubt.

North Harbour escaped injury- free from Friday night's win over Canterbury, a result which eliminated champions Otago from the title hunt.

Waikato expect to have key outside back Bruce Reihana (ankle) back. Reihana is one of the players on standby for the All Blacks but Waikato understand he would not need to travel before Saturday.

Flanker Nick Holten is also expected to return from a shoulder injury. But prop Michael Collins (groin) is only rated at 50-50, flanker Ryan Wheeler sees a specialist tomorrow hoping to win a clearance from concussion, and injury-prone fullback Todd Miller is definitely out with a torn hamstring.

Wellington, who recently lost teenage loose forward Jerry Collins to a broken leg, escaped injury free from their 36-16 win over Otago at Athletic Park yesterday.