Rugby: Flanker fit for final showdown

Rugged flanker Wayne Miller has completed his comeback from a serious knee injury and has been included in the North Otago team for tomorrow's NPC third-division rugby final against East Coast at Centennial Park in Oamaru.

Miller replaces lock Daryl O'Kane in the reserves for the match in the only change to the North Otago squad who beat Poverty Bay in the semifinal.

Miller, the older brother of Highlanders No 8 Paul Miller, has trained with the team over the past two weeks after recovering from a serious knee injury and the management staff are satisfied he is ready for the rigours of a final.

"Wayne has made an excellent recovery and we were close to selecting him for the semifinal last week," North Otago coach Glenn Moore said yesterday.

"He has a lot of experience and in a final you need players like that.

"We're all looking forward to the final. I guess it's a long time waiting."

East Coast have had a good recent run with injuries and will bring a fully fit squad to Oamaru.

Manager Jum Reedy said the defending champions were hoping for a hard, dry ground to allow East Coast's backs to run with the ball.

- NZPA