Rugby: Chamberlain return gives Harbour heart

Tom Chamberlain will be back in action for North Harbour tonight. Photo / Greg Bowker

North Harbour have waited five weeks to get Tom Chamberlain back into action.

It has seemed an even longer delay for the 22-year-old flanker, who was concussed in a pre-competition trial game and has finally been cleared to play Southland tonight at Albany.

His impact has been missed as Harbour have fallen to three straight defeats since their opening round win against Canterbury.

But Harbour have been heartened that Chamberlain has been given the all-clear tonight for what should be a great clash at the breakdown with Tim Boys and his Southland cronies.

"Tom was going well till he was knocked out and while he was passed fit, we had to wait until he stopped getting headaches," Harbour coach Craig Dowd said.

"He is only a youngster but he has a big frame and stood up really well when he was used at the end of the Super 14."

Chamberlain was called into the Blues after injuries to Josh Blackie and Justin Collins and, in successive games, tested his ability against Scott Waldrom, George Smith then Richie McCaw.

Teammate Ben Botica gets his chance in the bigtime tonight as he will measure off his skills as a five-eighths at national championship level.

The chunky teenager has been groomed in the union's development squad and used from the bench but this is his first start in the jersey his All Black father Frano wore so well for Harbour.

"Ben's got some very good vision, understands the role well and has the makings of a very good rugby player," said Dowd.

"He has the pedigree and our intention was to get him into this level of rugby during the season."

With Luke McAlister injured and the side looking for a spark, Botica has been chosen at first five-eighths with Michael Harris moving out a place where he impressed last season.

Harbour need to alter their form and their results chart tonight, while Southland will be looking to continue the work which has given them three wins and a loss this season.

They are a solid team who go about their business well, who bring a strong defence and whose pack has given their young backline a strong platform.

For some reason, youngster Robbie Robertson has not made the trip north but a pack with Jamie Mackintosh, Jason Rutledge, Josh Bekhuis and Boys will deliver some gnarly bite while Jason Kawau, Pehi Te Whare and James Wilson will bring some backline trickery.