Rugby: Clarke at last is back in action

By Wynne Gray

It has been a very long five months for Eroni Clarke, but the burly centre is finally back in full rugby action today.

The 30-year-old will turn out for Auckland against neighbours North Harbour in the second-to-last trial the sides will have before the start of the NPC next week.

After today, Auckland head for a weekend meeting with Canterbury before their NPC opener against Wellington, while Harbour travel to play Northland ahead of their NPC start at home against Waikato.

For Clarke, today's game is a trial within a trial, the chance to show the selectors he is close to fitness after his Achilles tendon injury and to give him the confidence he can play without any fear of further injury.

"I had a club game about two weeks ago and now I am just building on getting out of third into top gear," he said.

His thoughts were no further ahead than today after the injury which happened during the Blues' Super 12 opener against the Otago Highlanders at Carisbrook.

"It is all about getting match fitness now. I was in the best shape of my career at the start of the year so that is helping me get back to full fitness pretty quickly. It has not gone to waste."

Both teams are without their New Zealand Maori and national colts reps but still have strong formations for the Eden Park hitout.

Auckland: Malili Muliana, Dan Parkinson, Eroni Clarke, Iliesa Tanivula, Craig Innes, Aidan Vince, Ofisa Tonu'u, Xavier Rush, Mark Carter, Charles Reichelmann (capt), Leo Lafaiali'i, Finau Maka, Kalau Fukofuka, Paul Mitchell, Scott Palmer. Reserves: Steve Devine, Orene Ai'i, Rico Gear, Doug Howlett, Mana Otai, Keven Mealamu, Jason Chandler, Michael Jones, Samiu Vahafolau.

North Harbour: Rua Tipoki, Aisea Tuilevu, Paul Schmidt-Uli, Eric Rush, Walter Little, Frano Botica, Mark Robinson, Hori Lewis, Malua Tipi, Lio Falaniko, Richard Shaw, Blair Urlich, Fosi Pala'amo, Russell King, Tony Coughlan. Reserves: Johnny Marsters, Simon Halford, Filiti Fakaongo, Robbie Ford, Billy Fulton, Ngapuku Ngapuku, Glenn Davis.