By WYNNE GRAY
Wannabe first five-eighths Nick Evans has been shifted to fullback as North Harbour emulate Auckland's backline reshuffle for tomorrow's NPC duel at Eden Park.
While the Harbour pack has been untouched by coach Allan Pollock, he has made multiple alterations to a backline considered to be one of the nation's most dangerous.
Only second five-eighths Luke McAlister remains in the same backline position he played last week, while halfback David Gibson is the sole Auckland back to keep the place he occupied against Waikato.
By comparison, both packs have emerged largely unscathed, with Auckland dealing with injuries and Harbour able to retain the vigorous pack captained by Joe Ward.
But Pollock has made changes to the Harbour backline as he looks to counter the return of Auckland's All Blacks.
Youngster Tusi Pisi has been named to start at first five-eighths instead of either Evans or McAlister, who is being used as a first receiver anyway in different phases of the game.
"Tusi is picked with an eye to the future and with Nick going [on transfer to Otago], and I think he is an incredibly talented player," Pollock said yesterday.
"Nick at fullback then gives us a back three with great speed and allows us to match what Auckland will throw at us.
"And Carlos Spencer, even though he was underused in the All Blacks, has a fantastic long kicking game and I notice that Auckland are very well prepared for a kick return.
"So if we are going to do that, then I want someone who is a longer kicker even than Carlos."
Pollock has also shifted Rico Gear to the right wing, where he played his solitary All Black test this season, and Anthony Tuitavake has been picked at centre.
"I see Rico as the only guy in New Zealand who is a stand-alone centre and a stand-alone wing," Pollock explained, "and part of what I believe as a coach is to showcase my players in the best possible light.
"In talks with Rico we will decide, game to game, which position offers him the best chance to show off what he has got.
"He is a specialist on the wing and at centre. He is not a utility."
Harbour's pack had been working steadily through the season and deserved another crack in the franchise partners' duel, the coach said.
Newcomer Nick Williams had made a fair start to his provincial career, although Pollock considered he had yet to display his full range of skills. He was concentrating on the basics, and that was sensible.
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