Rugby: Devine in race to be ready

By Chris Rattue

Auckland are still sweating on the fitness of halfback Steve Devine for Saturday's NPC semifinal clash against North Harbour.

Devine, who missed the win over Counties Manukau because of an ankle injury, will be given until tomorrow if necessary to prove his fitness, but coach Wayne Pivac said the final decision would not be left until Saturday.

Pivac said Devine, who has alternated with the long-passing Ofisa Tonu'u throughout the season, is being preferred for the big clash on Saturday night because of his extra pace.

Pivac and his assistant, Grant Fox, have gone for experience against North Harbour, who won their final five matches to make the semifinals as the fourth seeds.

Lock Leo Lafaiali'i has been preferred ahead of Jason Chandler, Mark Carter is on the openside flank ahead of Finau Maka, and hooker Paul Mitchell has won the nod ahead of the up-and-coming Keven Mealamu.

"Jason has had to overcome a knee injury which has put him behind the 8-ball and by his own standards only had an adequate game against Counties Manukau. Leo offers more athleticism," said Pivac.

"Finau is making a great impact when he comes on and we're using Mark's experience - he runs very good lines in defence. But it was a tough decision and you can expect to see Finau injected into the game.

"North Harbour will come out firing and Paul Mitchell has the experience to bear the brunt of that - then Keven can come on and make an impact."

North Harbour have promoted themselves as the unpredictable wildcard in the semifinals, but Pivac, whose career began across the bridge, knocked that back.

"I think they actually play quite a structured game, going for field position and using Mark Robinson's runs from he base of the scrum.

"They apply the pressure and let Frano Botica's goalkicking help to get the job done.

"I certainly don't think you'll see them trying to do a lot of attacking from within their own half.

"I always expected them to be there or thereabouts at the end, and if you consider the Otago game, which they deserved to win, they would even have had a home semifinal.

"If you looked at the draw, it was always likely they would finish strongly. Personally I would have liked them to be in the other semifinal so there was a chance for a Battle of the Bridge in the final."

Wayne Shelford names the North Harbour side today and is not expected to make any changes to the line-up who won the do-or-die clash against Canterbury at Albany last Friday.

Meanwhile, Kelvin Deaker, from Hawkes Bay, will control Saturday night's match while Steve Walsh sen, from North Harbour, will referee Saturday afternoon's semifinal between Waikato and Wellington in Hamilton.

Auckland: Adrian Cashmore, Doug Howlett, Eroni Clarke, Caleb Ralph, Craig Innes, Orene Ai'i, Steve Devine/Ofisa Tonu'u; Xavier Rush, Mark Carter, Charles Riechelmann, Leo Lafaiali'i, Michael Jones, Scott Palmer, Paul Mitchell, Paul Thomson. Res: Devine/Tonu'u/Kevin Senio, Aidan Vince, Iliesa Tanivula; Finau Maka, Jason Chandler, Mana Otai, Keven Mealamu.