Ward favoured to captain Harbour

By CHRIS RATTUE

Hooker Joe Ward has emerged as the favourite to lead North Harbour in this year's NPC.

The 24-year-old Ward, who took over from Slade McFarland as Harbour's top hooker last year, has had his Super 12 break with the Hurricanes over the past two seasons.

He led a New Zealand under-19 team, which included Richie McCaw, Aaron Mauger and Jerry Collins, to a world title and captained North Harbour when Ron Cribb was unavailable last year.

The former New Zealand Colt is expected to get the captaincy spot when Allan Pollock and Mark Anscombe reveal their team at a launch tomorrow night.

North Harbour travel to New Plymouth to open their campaign against Taranaki on Saturday evening.

* A hearing into Craig Newby's attempt to join Otago next year may be delayed.

Newby's transfer is threatened by a New Zealand Rugby Union rule preventing any union importing two current All Blacks at a time.

Otago have signed Newby's Harbour team-mate Nick Evans.

All parties have signed an agreement not to discus the matter in public, but it is believed an NZRFU hearing on August 25 may be put back.

* Waikato coach John Mitchell revealed his NPC squad yesterday, with the injured Roger Randle, Regan King, Mark Ranby, Deacon Manu and Tom Willis left out for now.

Loki Crichton and Derek Maisey are out for the season.

No 8 Steven Bates will captain the side until test loose forward Jono Gibbes returns.

Waikato squad

Backs: Todd Miller, Sosene Anesi, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Solomone Korovata, Filimoni Bolavucu, Keith Lowen (v-c), Richard Kahui, Dwayne Sweeney, David Hill, Stephen Donald, William Ripia, Isaac Boss, Byron Kelleher, Rhys Duggan.

Forwards: Steven Bates (c), Liam Messam, Marty Holah, Scott Couch, Jono Gibbes, Keith Robinson, David Duley, Sean Hohneck, Nathan White, David Van Eyk, David Briggs, Michael Collins, Scott Linklater, Greg Smith, Joel McKenty, Josh Sole, Toby Lynn.




NPC points table

NPC fixtures