Taranaki coach: 'mix' in teams similar

By CHRIS RATTUE

Taranaki coach Colin Cooper sees something familiar in the North Harbour team his side face at Albany tonight.

"I believe Harbour are a significantly better team this year," Cooper said. "Buck [Shelford] has done very well in getting some experienced players back in his team.

"I don't think the rugby public often realise how important experience is. You are always looking for that blend with young players.

"It's a formula we've had which has worked very well in the past couple of seasons."

Taranaki have put themselves into a series of must-win games after losing their first three this year.

They revived their semifinal chances in the fourth round when, after the trio of defeats at home and trailing Waikato 15-3, they emerged with an away win.

The coach heaped praise on his side's spirit in keeping their playoff chances alive, but knows that defeat tonight would probably spell the end of their hopes this season.

"We lost a couple of experienced players and started with 10 new players. It's a tough competition and it can take time to blend in so many new players."

Harbour and Taranaki's history is chalk and cheese. Harbour traditionally have been flamboyant and erratic. Taranaki have relied on a forward pack you can almost always rely on.

Yet they always seem to be involved in close battles, and last year Taranaki's victory in New Plymouth was the result that ended Harbour's semifinal bid.

Their playing philosophies have drawn closer now. North Harbour have bolstered their forwards and taken some of the scarier elements out of their approach.

Taranaki, meanwhile, are working hard to create space for their outside backs. "You're not going to get too far just relying on forward strength," Cooper said.

With North Harbour leading the pace in the first division, a big crowd is expected tonight.

Despite their success, the average crowd at North Harbour Stadium has been 8800, down on last year, because of appalling weather.

It shapes as a classic battle. A Harbour win should guarantee them a semifinal place. A Taranaki loss would put them out of contention.