KEY POINTS:
Waikato's locking depth will be tested in Hamilton tomorrow night when they take on Wellington in a probable battle for third seeding for the national championship playoffs.
With Toby Lynn still serving his ban for biting Greg Rawlinson in the Ranfurly Shield win over North Harbour, Jono Gibbes battling a long-term injury and Ben Paurini suffering knee ligament damage playing touch in training on Tuesday, coach Warren Gatland has been forced to turn to unheralded duo Kent Fife and Mark Burman.
The pair form part of a tight five that boasts only former midweek All Blacks captain Tom Willis as anyone resembling a household name.
Gatland, however, is pleased with the way his pack has performed in the tight.
"We have really scrummaged well," he said.
"We have a couple of props for whom last year was really their first big year. Now they have come to terms with the responsibility I and the team are putting on them to dominate.
"They are learning as they go but they are coming to terms with it well.
"We are kind of getting down to pulling [locks] out of the development team but it is an opportunity for someone to put their hand up and take their chance."
Gibbes may yet return to fitness in time to play a role in Waikato's playoff campaign but Gatland isn't exactly holding his breath over the prospect.
"There's a slim chance but we are not really counting on Jono. Toby Lynn will be available for the semifinals and he'll be a huge asset."
The winner of tomorrow's match will likely seal third place behind runaway leaders Auckland and Canterbury. Gatland said he would be content with fourth and a home quarter-final but would then be hoping his side drew Auckland ahead of Canterbury in a likely away semifinal.
* North Harbour coach Wayne Pivac has once again been forced to look outside his original squad for the trip to Otago after three more players sustained injuries in last weekend's loss to Wellington.
Takapuna second five-eighths Daniel Robinson has been drafted into the backline to replace regular fullback George Pisi, who is out with an injured shoulder. Pisi's absence has meant a reshuffle in the backline, with Jack McPhee switching from first five-eighths to fullback and Tusi Pisi reverting to his regular first five-eighths role.
Puanani Hunia is also out of the reckoning with a groin injury and there is a doubt over Anthony Boric (foot), who has been bracketed with Ryan Wilson.
Zar Lawrence, who is named on the bench, appears close to a comeback from the stress fracture problem that has kept him out of action this season.
Harbour: Jack McPhee, Viliame Waqaseduadua, Anthony Tuitavake, Rudi Wulf, Tusi Pisi, Brett Ingham, Richard Mayhew, Robert Colhoun, Villiami Ma'afu, Greg Rawlinson, Anthony Boric or Ryan Wilson, Ben Afeaki, James Hinchco, James Afoa. Reserves: James Parsons, Joe Savage, Ryan Wilson or Doug Fletcher, Francis Stowers, Daniel Deveraux, Michael Harris, Zar Lawrence.
