Rugby: Harbour chances boosted on and off field

By Chris Rattue

North Harbour's chances of grabbing a semifinal place in the NPC could be boosted by disciplinary hearings this week after yesterday's spiteful rugby match between Taranaki and Counties Manukau at New Plymouth.

Harbour are tantalisingly close to fourth spot with three rounds remaining, and on Saturday are at home to Taranaki, who will have up to three players appearing at Wednesday's hearings.

The disciplinary commissioner, David Gray, was last night looking at four incidents from the match at Rugby Park, involving three players from each side.

Taranaki flanker Darryl Fale is almost certain to be suspended for a punch which put Steelers No 8 Koula Tukino out of the match, which Taranaki won 35-10.

Fale retaliated against Tukino, who had thrown a punch in a scrum, and his shot to the nose felled the Steelers loose forward, who was sinbinned and then replaced by George Stowers.

Stowers was sent off by referee Lyndon Bray in the 63rd minute for punching Taranaki No 8 Campbell Feather on the ground.

Gray would not reveal the other players in his sights.

Gray's findings go to the complaints review officer, Roger Drummond, who decides today which players will face charges.

It was not the perfect weekend for North Harbour, but Wayne Shelford's side were the big winners in the latest round.

Their hopes would have been strengthened if they had got a four-try bonus at Invercargill, where they won 17-11, but they have still closed the gap on the top four from eight to five points and are in fifth place with Wellington.

Taranaki still have a rough chance, although they have still to face in-form Auckland at New Plymouth in round eight.

Northland's shock win over Canterbury has them level with Taranaki, and their remaining matches are against struggling Counties Manukau and Southland, then the tough Waikato side in Whangarei.

Canterbury and Otago face each other at Carisbrook on Saturday night, and their latest defeats have boosted the hopes of North Harbour and beaten Ranfurly Shield challengers Wellington, the lead chasers for a semifinal place. The All Black-less Otago look most vulnerable, with matches against Canterbury, Waikato and away to Wellington.

Shelford said North Harbour would not make a special play of going for the four-try bonus against Taranaki.

"The bonus points could become important but the main thing is getting the win, which is the toughest part," he said last night. "Then if we're in striking distance [of a bonus point] in the last 10 or 15 minutes we can go for it then.

"We might have to change our strategy after this weekend, but we will just wait and see."