Cribb puts career in jeopardy

By CHRIS RATTUE

CANTERBURY 18 NORTH HARBOUR 10

North Harbour captain Ron Cribb has added further controversy to a turbulent career which could be about to end in this country on a sour note.

While Cribb's old comrade Troy Flavell revitalised his test prospects with a storming game in the eight-point loss to Canterbury on Saturday night, Cribb was involved in an ugly 78th-minute incident reminiscent of the one which saw Flavell suspended for almost the entire Super 12.

Canterbury look playoff bound, but North Harbour's NPC destiny is no longer in their hands and will be even further beyond the control of Cribb, whose career has come unstuck after so much early promise.

The 27-year-old, who may join Japanese club Kobe, was suspended for one week after being sent off for fighting against Southland in round three.

He faces another, and much longer, suspension after a bloody rucking incident at Albany which left debutant Canterbury wing Ryan Glover bleeding heavily around his left ear.

The incident cost Harbour a bonus point opportunity and their semifinal hopes plummeted against Canterbury, whose novice backline and methodical pack prevented a fifth straight victory by Harbour, who were often leaden-footed in contrast to Flavell's energy.

Flavell received a late call-up and could hardly have done more to impress All Black coach John Mitchell, who may need a replacement for Ali Williams.

Harbour coach Russell Jones has resisted aiding the World Cup war effort by using the athletic lock as a substitute in the last four rounds.

From his opening kickoff reception, Flavell was in everything as he fronted up against another cup prospect, Norm Maxwell.

Flavell grabbed all four first-half lineout steals - giving World Cup hooker Corey Flynn a tough welcome back after a long injury layoff - and collected the 11 Harbour throws aimed his way.

He was also rampant around the field, making a dozen powerful carries, including a 35m burst in the second half.

Flavell won a rave review from Jones, and even a mention from Canterbury coach Aussie McLean.

Jones said: "I've known Troy since he was 18 and that was the best game of rugby I have seen him play."

McLean said: "You only see guys flash before your eyes ... but I did see Flavell carry the ball a bit tonight."

Flavell and Cribb are negotiating with Harbour and New Zealand, but have been linked to clubs in Japan, which starts its season in March.

Cribb took a poke at the Wellington union on Saturday night for their appeal against the Chad Alcock eligibility decision, saying that smaller unions were forever treated unfairly and needed to import players such as Alcock to balance the situation.

"It's unfortunate when administrators get involved and ruin the game, it's been a bit disruptive ... why drag it on?" Cribb said of the Alcock affair.

Cribb will have his own future to worry about as North Harbour prepare for a final-round battle against Waikato on Friday night.

In a petulant first-half gesture, Cribb charged Cameron McIntyre late and high after the Canterbury first five-eighths had released a clearing kick.

Events turned even uglier in the final two minutes, after Glover had slid on to the ball in cover defence and a ruck formed.

Cribb rucked Glover's exposed head, although he later claimed to have been dislodging Canterbury bodies.

Referee Lachie McLeod believed Cribb had rucked Glover's shoulder and awarded Harbour an attacking scrum feed, but then penalised and warned Cribb on a touch judge's report, telling a protesting Harbour captain that the commissioner could decide the issue.

Canterbury defended superbly while North Harbour fell victims to the rugby adage that possession is no longer nine-tenths of the score.

A static forward game played into the hands of well-organised and committed Canterbury defence.

Canterbury's long-range opportunist try to Charlie Hore in the 49th minute, after a series of Harbour attacks were thwarted, summed up the match played in front of 9000.

Jones criticised referee McLeod, saying: "The tackle ball area tonight was just a mess. It was not very well controlled at all.

"It is a real issue in our game at the moment, and it's going to have a significant impact on the World Cup."

Canterbury agreed to a point.

"There are a myriad decisions to be made, not just by the ref but by the players.

"Unlike other sports, the players hear the whistle and look at the ref wondering what it's for," said McLean, although captain Sam Broomhall did not believe the problem had been any worse than usual.

* Canterbury will be without Casey Laulala, who left the field with an ankle injury, for Saturday's Ranfurly Shield defence against Auckland.

NPC points table