Ironman halfback fired up for 13th start

Amidst the near-audible creaks coming out of the Steamers camp, Junior Poluleuligaga seems to be getting fresher every week.
The Bay of Plenty halfback is set for his 13th consecutive start in blue and gold tonight against North Harbour, after arriving from Samoa in July.
His ironman efforts match that of teammates Colin Bourke, Mike Delany, Culum Retallick and Nigel Hunt, who have also started every game this season.
Against the backdrop of a horrific injury toll - which continued yesterday when James McGougan was ruled out of tonight's match in Albany - Poluleuligaga's durability has been a major boost.
"I'm not complaining - it's great for me," the test halfback said. "I'm 28 now and I've spent a lot of time on the bench behind other players so I'm thriving on actually being able to play 80 minutes at a time. It means I can work on my game at training and immediately put it to effect in the next game."
With his backup, young star Josh Hall, only just returning to full fitness after breaking a leg, Poluleuligaga's link between Bourke and Delany has been crucial to Bay's success this year.
His influence tonight will be just as important, against the side he represented for four seasons and one that he knows can blow very hot or extremely cold.
"It's going to bring back a lot of memories heading back up there and I still keep in touch with some of the boys. The best year we had was in 2005 when we had a lot of balance in the squad with experience and young talent. Now they're struggling with the experience side and that's why they probably struggle to close out games."
Poluleuligaga's career has taken him all over the globe, both with Manu Samoa and playing for clubs in France and Britain. He's also represented the Blues and may well get another tilt at Super rugby with the Chiefs next year.
To do that, he'll need dispensation from the New Zealand Rugby Union and the full backing of Chiefs coach Ian Foster.
Foster has already seen first-hand Poluleuligaga's abilities after the New Zealand Juniors snuck a one-point win against Samoa in Apia earlier this year.
"I had a good chat with Fozzie a few weeks ago - he came to training and he let me know where I stood. It was good feedback and I really appreciated it. It gave me a lot of confidence to work on my game and maybe hold off on plans to leave and go back overseas.
"It makes it a lot harder for me because it leaves it so late. My preference is to stay in New Zealand because that's where all my family are and my daughter's in school but I've got to go where the money is. If an offer came up to go overseas before the Super 14 squads are announced, I might have to take it."
North Harbour have been boosted for tonight's match with the return of All Black Luke McAlister, set to play his first match since breaking his cheekbone against Australia in August.
He is one of two changes from the side beaten by Waikato last week, the other being the return of Chris Smylie at halfback in place of Matt France.
McAlister will start at No 12, outside Mike Harris, in a Harbour backline now armed with two big kickers and which should benefit from the extra snap McAlister possesses when on song.
McGougan's absence, meanwhile, will see Ted Tauroa start with uncapped Tauranga Sports prop Henoa Lolohea moved onto the bench. He'll be the 31st player used by the Bay this season if he gets on.