Harbour see gap opening for flanker

By CHRIS RATTUE

There is a new All Blacks coach, and it's game on again for many players in the NPC.

That was the message from North Harbour assistant coach Allan Pollock, who yesterday pushed the case for Matua Parkinson to be included in the All Blacks' plans.

Pollock said the naming of John Mitchell to coach the All Blacks would breathe extra life into the competition.

North Harbour, who had a bye in the last round, and Northland, shock winners over Auckland, clash at North Harbour Stadium this afternoon.

Parkinson has been so battered in his battles as an openside loose forward that Pollock and head coach Wayne Shelford have decided to rest him this week.

Pollock said the tearaway Harbour No 7 had been unfairly overlooked by the former All Black regime, and players like him now had new incentives.

Pollock, who played for Wellington and North Harbour, said he had always regarded the likes of his former Wellington team-mate and loose forward Morrie Standish and Shelford as the most fearless players he had played with or against, or coached.

But he now rated Parkinson as the most fearless of them all, and hoped that Mitchell would see his value.

"Matua is not in great shape, despite the week off, after the battering he gets doing his job," Pollock said. "He gets hit from all sides and puts himself in terrible positions to make sure he gets the ball for us, but he does it week after week better than anyone."

Mitchell had made it clear that he wanted specialists and that he believed the ball on the ground was where it could be won back from the opposition.

"That is Matua's game week after week," Pollock said.

"For someone like Matua, it is game on again."

Pollock added that Ron Cribb, who some believe could be cut by Mitchell, is raring to go after exploratory operations on knee injuries and the birth of his first child this week.

Cribb will be available for North Harbour's next match, against Wellington.

Wing Aisea Tuilevu and hooker Slade McFarland are still under injury doubts for today's game, in which a win could put second-placed North Harbour well on the road to a home semifinal.

The big question for Northland, who retain slim hopes of a semifinal spot in the Air New Zealand-sponsored competition, is how they respond after their historic victory over Auckland. Coach Bryce Woodward and the players have worked hard at not over-celebrating.