Rugby: Fit Tuitavake forces Harbour reshuffle

Anthony Tuitavake. Photo / Getty Images

Injuries and the improved health of their sharpest attacking back has meant five changes to the North Harbour lineup to play Counties-Manukau at Albany tomorrow night.

Coming off a gutsy 16-14 win over Auckland, former All Black Anthony Tuitavake returns to the right wing. He missed the bridge battle due to a recurrence of a pelvic injury but should add zest to the backline work, coming in for B team regular Josh York.

However, Anthony Boric, having got through two full games since his lengthy injury layoff for a toe operation, retains the captaincy.

Galloping fullback Jack McPhee is back after making an impact off the substitutes' bench in the 16-14 win over Auckland at Eden Park last Saturday.

Spring-heeled lock James King, who has been a real asset in the Air New Zealand Cup this season, is out, having suffered a rib injury against Auckland, leading to a reshuffle, in which blindside flanker Chris Smith goes to lock.

Hooker Mike Mayhew starts the match, after James Parsons reinjured his arm against Auckland.

Counties-Manukau, propping up the table a point behind Harbour, have also done some reworking.

Prop Simon Lemalu is out with a hamstring strain, while No 8 Viliame Fihaki is facing a long break after doing serious damage to ligaments in his ankle in the loss to Southland last week.

Lock Jamie Chipman comes off the bench and swaps places with Alepini Olosoni, while Ilaisa Maasi starts at hooker ahead of Matt Holloway.

But the biggest interest could come in the front row, where Counties-Manukau introduce 152kg tighthead Tuaefe Palelei for his first start of the season.

Manawatu's hot shot first five-eighths Aaron Cruden has re-signed with the union for next year - but there's a rider. Should the union get dumped as one of four to be removed from the competition - as the New Zealand Rugby Union has reiterated this week will happen - Manawatu will support a transfer or loan arrangement for Cruden to play in the top flight.

It says much about Cruden's character that he wants to stay with his home union while batting away attractive offers from larger provinces.

He will be eligible for the Hurricanes in next year's Super 14 - and put your shirt on Cruden being one of the group of players coach Colin Cooper will protect - after which he could pop up elsewhere for the national championship.

Waikato, ninth on 17 points - one point and one place behind Taranaki - have stuck with the same forward pack from the win over Wellington for their trip to New Plymouth tomorrow night.

There is some backline tinkering, however, with coach Chris Gibbes giving a start on the wing to Tim Mikkelson ahead of Henry Speight.