Rugby: Rivalry may put bite back in both sides

Isaia Toeava may have an All Black stint coming up. Photo / Greg Bowker

There was a time when an Auckland-North Harbour clash could invoke passions as strong as any other traditional domestic rugby rivalry.

Maybe it's the whirlwind ITM Cup this season, squeezed between the Super 15 and the World Cup.

Or perhaps it's just a sense of tired old familiarity, combined with the fact neither team is playing particularly well right now.

But it's not hard to detect an air of the ho-hum going into tomorrow's contest at North Harbour Stadium. At least, that's from the outside looking in. Not so, say men from both camps.

"Definitely it's there from our side," said Auckland's stand-in captain Tom McCartney.

"They've been seen as the little brother union a bit in terms of fitting into the Blues. But it's one game you definitely don't want to lose. That'll be no different this weekend."

So what about it, Liam Barry? His Harbour side have had a tough campaign in the second tier championship, one win from five games so far, but as an old sweat from those halcyon days of the rivalry, he expects plenty of bite to the contest.

"They know the enormity of playing their cousins across the bridge and know each other so well that it adds a bit of sting, which is great," Barry said.

Harbour could do with some sting. Theirs has been a desperate campaign of opportunities lost too often.

"I knew it was never going to be easy," Barry said.

"There were a couple of games where we've been disappointed in the result and how it's gone about, compounding errors we've made which affect the scoreboard. It's been a massive learning curve for us all."

Harbour are without midfield back Luke McAlister, who tweaked a hamstring last Monday, the day before the latest loss at Manawatu, and prop Mike Reid, whose season might be over because of the recurrence of a foot injury.

On the plus side, lock James King, who has had a good campaign, returns from a shoulder injury, although the XV won't be named until today.

Auckland, buoyed by a resolute 39-26 win over Southland on Wednesday night, should see this as a banker in their bid to climb the premiership ladder.

However, they only have to think back two years to Harbour pitching up at Eden Park seemingly with little chance and winning 16-14. Coach Mark Anscombe's sense of humour was seriously stretched that day.

"It's no good having a win, showing growth then bouncing back with a poor performance. We've got to be consistent and if there's one game Harbour are going to produce a biggie, it'll be Sunday," Anscombe said.

Isaia Toeava makes his second appearance of the competition at fullback, but is likely to have no more than an hour's action. An All Black flight to South Africa late next week is on his radar.

Fullback Brent Ward switches to right wing, with Joe Rokocoko on the bench, while George Moala gets his first start on the left. Toby Morland gets a start at halfback for Alby Mathewson.

Up front is where Auckland have been particularly hit by injuries.

There's a new lock, Josh Katene, with both Josh Townsend and Richard Haddon sidelined by concussion.

Flanker Sean Polwart is back from a quadricep injury; but both No 8 Peter Saili (rib cartilage) and regular captain Daniel Braid (neck injury) are absent.

Lock Liaki Moli, who missed the Super 15 season with a bad shoulder injury, is on the bench.

Former All Black Benson Stanley's season is over after his concussion against Canterbury on July 17, failing another psychometric test this week. He'll have another check in about three months.

An Auckland win could have them sitting on the shoulders of the pacemakers; a Harbour loss could leave them potentially seven points adrift at the bottom.

So, forget the geographical element; there's on-field incentives aplenty tomorrow.

Counties Manukau, kicking themselves for blowing a great opportunity in Dunedin this week, host Waikato in Pukekohe tomorrow; while in today's games, Otago host Southland at Carisbrook, and Manawatu do likewise against Taranaki in Palmerston North.

Auckland v Harbour

Albany, 4.35pm tomorrow

Auckland: Isaia Toeava, Brent Ward, Hadleigh Parkes, Teddy Stanaway, George Moala, Gareth Anscombe, Toby Morland, Chris Lowrey, Sean Polwart, Nathan Hughes, Steven Luatua, Josh Katene, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney (c), Pauliasi Manu.
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Tevita Mailau, Liaki Moli, Ben Masoe, Alby Mathewson, Piers Francis, Joe Rokocoko, Angus Ta'avao.
North Harbour team not available.
Record: Played 33, Auckland 26 wins, Harbour 6 wins, draws 1.

Counties M v Waikato

Pukekohe, 2.35pm tomorrow

Counties Manukau: Sherwin Stowers, Ahsee Tuala, Reynold Lee-Lo, Niva Ta'auso, Tyrone Lefau, Tasesa Lavea/Baden Kerr, David Bason, Fritz Lee, DJ Forbes, Taiasina Tuifua, Jamie Chipman (c), Ronald Raaymakers, Matt Talaese, Grant Henson, Simon Lemalu.
Reserves: Mark Price, Jeremiah Fatialofa, Adam Cathcart, Mark Selwyn, August Pulu, Bundee Aki, Tim Nanai-Williams, Ihipa Thompson.
Waikato team not available.