Time running out for Cribb to impress new All Black coach

By CHRIS RATTUE

Test No 8 Ron Cribb is again missing from the North Harbour lineup as he battles back from minor exploratory surgery on his knees.

Cribb is hobbling and unable to train, and now has only two or three NPC games left to convince new All Black coach John Mitchell that he should be part of the tour to Ireland, Scotland and Argentina next month.

North Harbour take on Wellington in the capital tomorrow night, knowing a win will give them an all-important home advantage in the semifinals.

They have been boosted by the return of Matua Parkinson, Mark Mayerhofler, Rua Tipoki and Aisea Tuilevu from injury.

Tuilevu suffered a knee injury in the first round against Otago, and made his comeback with the North Harbour B side last week.

Mayerhofler, who had groin problems, has won the second-five eighths starting position ahead of Tipoki (broken hands), with Anthony Tuitavake missing the cut.

Parkinson, who was rested against Northland last week with a number of problems, is likely to start on the bench.

North Harbour's final regulation match is against Southland in Invercargill, and with coaches Wayne Shelford and Allan Pollock wanting to keep faith with the players who have done so well this year, it seems unlikely that Cribb would even get a start there.

With No 8 Blair Urlich being one of the Harbour standouts, Cribb is not only battling fitness but probably opportunity to impress Mitchell.

Pollock said: "Ron is a very frustrated man at the moment. He just wasn't fit for selection this time.

"We've got a responsibility to Ron and his All Black career, but we've also got a wider responsibility to all the individuals in our team."

For Wellington, Rodney So'oialo and Shane Carter come in for the injured Jerry Collins and Norm Hewitt, and Milton Ngauamo starts ahead of Inoke Afeaki.

Meanwhile, Waikato have suffered another casualty with loose forward Jonno Gibbes, the stand-in captain for Deon Muir, ruled out for the season with a broken thumb suffered against Southland.

Gibbes joins Guy Coleman (knee), Scott McLeod (cheek) and Muir (ribs) as the major Mooloo injury victims.

Coach Kiwi Searancke has yet to name another captain.

Third-placed Waikato have a bye this weekend before playing Canterbury in a potential Ranfurly Shield clash on October 20.

Searancke has put his name forward as coach or assistant of the Chiefs.

Applications close on Monday evening as the Chiefs search for Mitchell's replacement.

Mitchell's assistant Kevin Greene is also after the coaching job, while former Highlanders assistant and Waikato coach John Boe will make his decision at the weekend.

The Super 12 squads were to have been named next week, but that has been delayed by a week to allow the Chiefs to find a replacement for the new All Black coach.

North Harbour: Glen Osborne, Karl TeNana, Rico Gear, Mark Mayerhofler, Aisea Tuilevu, Willie Walker, Mark Robinson (capt), Blair Urlich, Craig Newby/Matua Parkinson, Liam Barry, Van Humphries, Matt Lord, Tevita Taumoepeau, Slade McFarland, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Rua Tipoki, Frano Botica, Tony Alatini; Parkinson/Newby, Phil Weedon, John Buchanan, Ace Tiatia.

Wellington: Christian Cullen, Lome Fa'atau, Tana Umaga (capt), Paul Steinmetz, Jonah Lomu, David Holwell, Jason Spice; Filo Tiatia, Kupu Vanisi, Rodney So'oialo, Milton Ngauamo, Dion Waller, Morne van der Merwe, Shane Carter, Kas Lealamanua. Reserves: Shannon Paku, Jason O'Halloran, Riki Flutey; Hemi Pou, Inoke Afeaki, Mike Edwards, Luke Mahoney.