Straight into a Shield history class

By CHRIS RATTUE

The only thing Tim Walsh knew about the Ranfurly Shield a fortnight ago was that it figured in the sports results.

"I'd seen it when I looked through newspapers and the internet," says the 23-year-old Walsh.

"I had no idea how it worked. I didn't understand the implication or the history. I've had it explained to me now. If we win this game there'll be a parade through town."

Walsh, from Queensland, will be at first five-eighths tomorrow night when North Harbour challenge Canterbury and attempt to take the Ranfurly Shield Takapuna-way for the first time.

The man charged with giving Walsh a quick New Zealand rugby lesson was "Spy" Kelly, the long-time Harbour baggage man, whom Walsh stayed with when he arrived in New Zealand just over a fortnight ago.

Walsh already had a link to New Zealand rugby history. His grandfather Dick Tooth, a New South Welshman, played at first five-eighths, centre and fullback for Australia in two test series against the All Blacks in the 1950s.

Walsh was also in the Australian under-21 side in an international tournament based at Albany two years ago. That Australian team, including the likes of George Smith and Phil Waugh, beat England in the playoff for third.

And a career highlight came four years ago when he landed a 50m drop goal on fulltime at Jade Stadium to secure a win for the Australian under-19s over their New Zealand counterparts, including Ben Blair, who lines up against North Harbour at the same ground tomorrow.

While North Harbour coach Russell Jones didn't say as much, it was on the cards that Walsh would get a starting chance after arriving with little fanfare three rounds into the NPC.

North Harbour have limited backline resources, which means the teenage talents of Luke McAlister - who was struggling to control matches at first five-eighths - may be better off at centre at this point in his career.

In his opening NPC assignment, Walsh ended up parked on the bench as North Harbour ground their way to defeat against Wellington at Albany. The next day, he fulfilled his commitments to Wests in a Queensland club semifinal.

Jones signalled his intentions the next week when Walsh came on in the second half against Otago, with McAlister moving to centre, and Harbour then started with that formation in the big win over Northland in Whangarei.

Walsh, who was in the Australian sevens team at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, played a couple of interstate games in 1999 but has missed out on the Queensland Super 12 side, where Elton Flatley is among those ahead of him. "I'm third or fourth in line and I've been hovering there for three years," said Walsh, who has just completed a commerce degree.

"I needed to do something to make the next step up and this is a great opportunity alongside players like Troy Flavell and Mark Mayerhofler. You can't play rugby of this standard at home.

"I also had the chance to play for Western Province in the [South African] Currie Cup but it was an easy choice to make.

"I'm very excited about this game. I'm told that some players are happy to get one shield challenge in their career. I've been here two weeks and I'm already in one."

* Harbour captain Mark Robinson, who is still battling a knee injury, has been bracketed at halfback with Billy Fulton for tomorrow night's match.