Harbour need to convince

By CHRIS RATTUE

North Harbour have brought in little-known Australian Tim Walsh as a back-up first five-eighths.

The Russell Jones-coached Harbour will try to get back on the NPC track tonight after being well beaten by Waikato and Auckland in the last two rounds.

Walsh, who also plays at fullback, has had a couple of inter-state games for Queensland and was part of Australia's Commonwealth Games sevens team.

Walsh arrived on Thursday and will be on the bench, alongside the recalled halfback Billy Fulton, for tonight's NPC clash against Wellington at Albany.

Walsh will cover for young pivot Luke McAlister, the junior star who is coming to grips with NPC demands after just turning 19.

"Luke is still our No. 1 and we're reasonably content with what we've got there at the moment," said Jones.

Jones said his side wanted to tidy up their defence, although they had been hurt in that and other areas by the injury to Mark Robinson and Mark Mayerhofler's illness in the game at Eden Park last week.

Robinson has passed concussion tests and is just about certain to play tonight.

Jones said Harbour wanted to improve their ball retention, which in turn would reduce the need for too much defensive work.

Wellington have Dion Waller back in the lineup after a long layoff.

He comes in for Milton Ngauamo from the team which crushed Northland a week ago.

North Harbour will be looking for a bigger impact from test forward Troy Flavell tonight. Jones has resisted any temptation to move Flavell to lock, keeping him at blindside flanker, where Flavell wants to play again for the All Blacks.

Adrian Donald, a hooker until three years ago, comes in for his first start at tighthead prop for Tevita Taumoepeau.

Tonight's match could be a bit of a free for all.

Both sides are inconsistent, and their instincts are in attacking styles of football.

North Harbour: Hayden Reid, Anthony Tuitavake, Brad Miller, Mark Mayerhofler, Rodd Penney, Luke McAlister, Mark Robinson (capt); Blair Urlich, Matua Parkinson, Troy Flavell, Mark Giacheri, Matt Lord, Adrian Donald, Slade McFarland, Tony Woodcock. Res: Joe Ward, Tevita Taumoepeau, Andrew Gallagher, Craig Newby; Billy Fulton, Tim Walsh, Nick Evans.

Wellington: Christian Cullen, Brad Fleming, Tana Umaga (capt), Pita Alatini, Jonah Lomu, Riki Flutey, Jason Spice; Rodney So'oialo, Kupu Vanisi, Thomas Waldrom, Dion Waller, Ross Kennedy, Tim Fairbrother, Shane Carter, Kas Lealamanua. Res: Luke Mahoney, John Pale, Kane Thompson, Hemi Pou; David Holwell, Ma'a Nonu, Shannon Paku.

Kickoff: 7.35 tonight. Referee: Paul Honiss (Waikato).