Canterbury match offers first look at World Cup mystery man

By CHRIS RATTUE

The mystery man of the World Cup squad goes on public display tonight.

Corey Flynn, the so-called third hooker, returns from injury in a re-shaped Canterbury line-up which takes on a North Harbour side full of winning confidence.

Flynn has been out of game action since breaking an arm in early May, although the intensity of training these days means the All Black camps should have him physically prepared for tonight's Albany clash.

Since Flynn wasn't available for the test match programme, it's difficult to gauge just how he might figure in John Mitchell's World Cup plans. His selection was assisted by the need to have three specialist halfbacks and hookers because of the tournament's replacement rules, but it doesn't necessarily mean he will be left on the sidelines.

Before injury struck, the former Southland captain appeared ready to overtake his World Cup comrade Mark Hammett in the Crusaders.

And Mitchell rates Flynn alongside Keven Mealamu as representing a new breed of hooker because of their ability to break defensive lines with a combination of speed and power. Set-piece ability, though, is still at the heart of the job and tonight will put Flynn's lineout throwing under match pressure and give him more "live" scrum action.

Canterbury coach Aussie McLean has revamped the side who clung on to the Ranfurly Shield against Wellington, with some changes forced through injuries to second five-eighths Mark Robinson and wing Joe Maddock.

Charlie Hore, normally a first five-eighths, takes Robinson's position, and Ryan Glover replaces Maddock. But captain Ben Hurst has been benched, with Jamie Nutbrown coming in, Flynn takes over from Tone Kopelani and Andrew Morgan is in for Johnny Leo'o.

Those changes, against a stable North Harbour line-up, must leave the home side as slight favourites.

Canterbury also have a poor away record this season, having scraped home against the division's worst team, Northland, in the opening round, and losing to Otago and Southland in their other matches away from Jade Stadium. North Harbour will be seeking their fifth straight win.

North Harbour: Tusi Pisi, Hosea Gear, Anthony Tuitavake, Andrew Mailei, Rudolffe Wulf, Nick Evans, Chad Alcock; Ron Cribb (c), Matua Parkinson, Craig Newby, Greg Rawlinson, Marty Veale, Tevita Taumoepeau, Joe Ward, Tony Woodcock. Res: Slade McFarland, Mike Noble, Blair Larsen, Troy Flavell; Ben Meyer, Rico Gear, Karl TeNana.

Canterbury: Scott Hamilton, Ryan Glover, Casey Laulala, Charlie Hore, Alisi Tupuailei, Andrew Mehrtens, Jamie Nutbrown; Sam Broomhall (c), Andrew Morgan, Scott Robertson, Norm Maxwell, Matt Dalzell, Campbell Johnstone, Corey Flynn, Greg Feek. Res: Tone Kopelani, Chris King, Daniel Turner, Johnny Leo'o; Ben Hurst, Cameron McIntyre, Doug Tausili.

Referee: Lachie McLeod.

Kickoff: 7.35pm.

TV: Live on Sky Sport 1.

NPC points table