KEY POINTS:
Marist v Takapuna
North Harbour Stadium, 3pm
History, and recent form, suggest Takapuna should have another comfortable win when the North Harbour premiership rugby title is decided at the Harbour Stadium today.
Takapuna will be contesting their 15th final of the 22 which have been held since the union's inception in 1985 and are seeking their 10th title. They are also the only Harbour club to win Auckland's Gallaher Shield.
Opponents Marist will be in their first premiership final since the club started in 1988.
Adding to the challenge facing Marist is that, with Massey and Northcote, they have been one of the clubs severely affected by representative demands. Takapuna, despite being Harbour's most successful club, have so far made only a light contribution to the provincial squad.
Injuries are also hampering Marist's preparation and it's possible they may yet have to promote a halfback from the reserves grade. Last year's Harbour halfback James Rodley is out with injury and Aidan McDonald, excellent in that position or on the wing, suffered concussion last weekend and was undergoing tests yesterday before his place could be confirmed.
Promising wing Nick Blincoe is also out injured, ruling him out of the Harbour second XV matches later in the season.
Despite his problems, Marist coach Mark Iversen was reasonably upbeat about his side's chances. "We're up against it but, if we play as well as we can, we can still win," he said yesterday.
Takapuna coach Alex O'Dowd emphasised his side's respect for Marist. "They have been a strong side all season and they have depth," he said. But he believes Takapuna have a grand chance if they continue the good form shown in the past six or seven matches.
While they do not have many representative players, O'Dowd said the side had plenty of experience with a number on the brink of the Harbour squad, particularly halfback John Volckman, whose organisational and running skills were a major asset.
First five-eighths David Strachan had also been invaluable, while prop Adrian Donald, Jerome Smith, Chad Campbell, Marc Camburn and Dan Robinson all had 100 premier club games to their credit.
