Rugby: Harbour still hold hope

No 10 Daniel Halangahu may return from injury to face Otago. Photo / Getty

It may seem strange for a side with a 2-6 record to say they are still in must-win territory, but there is still hope for North Harbour to clinch a Championship semifinal berth.

They must lower fourth-placed Otago tomorrow night in Albany to maintain that hope. Harbour had high hopes of a 2014 semifinal berth until their challenge foundered in the final week. They have just 10 competition points after the disappointing 31-17 loss to the Manawatu Turbos, and are seven shy of Otago who have a game in hand. So a bonus point victory is imperative, but also denying Otago any points would be desirable too.

Coach Steve Jackson says the attitude and training ethic is still intact, and the team knows what is at stake. There was about 40 minutes of good stuff against Manawatu, leading 17-7 after 50, but then the mistakes crept in, as they have down all too often this season.

"Sometimes guys go to sleep. We didn't carry hard, we were poor in the tackle area and we didn't clean out rucks... if guys want to go to Super (Rugby) and the semis, they have to put in more of an effort. Hopefully we'll see that on Thursday," said Jackson.

"That was the sad thing about last week. We had put ourselves in hot contention for the semis. Now we need to win our last two with bonus points and have a couple of other games go our way. But you never say never."

Flanker James Doyle has a groin niggle, so Brandon Nansen slots in at No 6, giving four viable lineout options. No 10 Daniel Halangahu may return from injury - he is bracketed - and the Australian would take the goalkicks from captain Bryn Hall, who filled that role against Manawatu. Dillon Wihongi comes onto the bench, along with possible debutant Kima Iosua.

Otago is coming off two good victories on the bounce, including a 61-7 pumping of neighbours Southland.

"They carry hard, defend well and stay in the game for 80 minutes. They don't have any superstars, but they play as a team and are hard to beat. They travel well too," said Jackson.

Otago have made three changes to their starting XV, and possess some talented backs of the ilk of halfback Josh Renton, centre Matt Faddes, wing Sio Tomkinson and fullback Michael Collins.

North Harbour: Josh Rowland/Matt McGahan, Nafi Tuitavake, Pita Ahki, Michael Little, Tevita Li, Daniel Halangahu/Matt McGahan, Bryn Hall (c), Chris Vui, Josh Blucher, Brandon Nansen, Hayden Triggs, Gerard Tuioti-Mariner, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons, Nic Mayhew; Reserves: Ray Niuia, Alex Woonton, George Tuinukuafe, Dillon Wihongi, Kima Iosua, David Bason, Matt Vaega, Josh Rowland/Junior Tofa-Va'a