Rugby: Boric rushed back for Harbour

Harbour lock Anthony Boric. Photo / Paul Estcourt

North Harbour coach Craig Dowd has rushed All Blacks lock Anthony Boric back into his side for Saturday's national provincial championship rugby match against Tasman at Nelson.

Injuries have forced Dowd to make changes to his squad with captain and prop Michael Reid sidelined by a recurrence of a toe injury.

Reid is replaced by James Afoa at loosehead, with halfback Chris Smylie taking over the captaincy.

Matt Luamanu switches from blindside flank to No 8 to give Richard Mayhew a chance to get over some niggling injuries, while Ken Pisi's form for the North Harbour development side has been rewarded with a start on the right wing.

Blues flanker Tom Chamberlain returns to the starting lineup after recovering from injury.

Dwod said Tasman was first of three targeted wins for his side along with Manawatu and Counties-Manukau to keep alive the team's top seven aspirations.

"When we looked at the draw for this season we knew with Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato and Southland the first half of the season was going to be tough, and obviously it has been," Dowd says.

"But where we sit now, we know we have a good run so if we can get some momentum and confidence in our game plan, there is no doubt we can turn our season around."

- NZPA