Forget age, Fab Four set to ignite Harbour

By CHRIS RATTUE

Something old, something new.

Former All Blacks Frano Botica, Mark Mayerhofler, Glen Osborne and Liam Barry will be part of a reunion with a twist when they line up for North Harbour this season.

They didn't all play together at North Harbour and some have got more playing history than the others with coaches Wayne Shelford and Allan Pollock, and manager Russell Jones.

Midfield back Mayerhofler, 28, made his name with Canterbury, but their paths have now crossed on the professional rugby circuit - Osborne and Botica from Biarritz, Mayerhofler also from France, and Barry from Japan.

Now this particular Fab Four, with 33 All Black tests between them, have returned at the same time to their rugby beginnings.

They will add a time warp touch to North Harbour's season, although the 30-year-old Barry, the first third-generation All Black, is no longer an openside loose forward and might even play at lock.

Osborne is a certainty at fullback, but the others face selection battles.

Harbour assistant coach Allan Pollock says: "They are true professionals who have looked after their bodies and know how to train.

"The younger guys look up and say 'how come that bloke is beating me, he's 10 years older'.

"They bring experience and enthusiasm."

It would be harsh to describe them as Dad's Army, although first five-eighths Botica will be 38 when he attempts to displace the 23-year-old Willy Walker.

Botica puts it this way. He wants the starting position, but is happy to provide a guiding hand.

"There is still a unique spirit at North Harbour. Maybe rugby around the world got too serious. Then again, at North Harbour, maybe we weren't always serious enough. We've never won the title and I'm sure it's in all of our minds."

Osborne says he has returned home for the "diving and fishing."

He is, after all, the character who once thanked a team-mate for a loan of boots by giving him a sack of eels.

Osborne, 29, was hampered by a groin injury at Biarritz and says his only rugby goal is helping Harbour.

And one for nostalgia buffs. When Harbour play Auckland at Waiheke Island on Sunday, the opposing assistant coach will be Grant Fox.

Fourteen years ago, Botica sat on the sideline when the All Blacks preferred the contrasting style of Fox as they won the World Cup.