Rugby: The young leader at Harbour's forefront

Michael Reid expects better defence from his team for the clash with Waikato tomorrow. Photo / Getty Images

Packing down a pre-season scrum a few years ago, Michael Reid thought the ripping sound he could hear was his new boots tearing.

Instead the North Harbour loosehead prop had ruptured the tendon underneath his big toe, an injury which resulted in two operations and several years away from rugby.

He returned to work his way into the Blues extended squad this year and to be made Harbour captain for the ITM Cup.

Nearly halfway through that competition, he and Harbour are doing it tough. The province is sitting towards the competition cellar. Just three teams sit below them as they eye tomorrow's next challenge, against Waikato at North Harbour Stadium.

"We need to get back on that winning track," Reid said. "We have to find that consistency which is so important in getting results in this competition.

"We have to be far better at looking after the ball, not making the mistakes which have killed some of our really good work and we have to make sure our defence is better.

"Last week, I thought we were doing well at halftime and then we let them [Bay of Plenty] back in. It is all about attitude and mental application."

Perhaps experience too, with a scan of Harbour's records showing that All Black lock Anthony Boric is the only player with more than 50 games who has taken the field for them this season.

Reid's mentor, All Black loosehead Tony Woodcock, has eased past that mark, but has not been sighted in the provincial colours. But he has helped the new provincial captain a great deal when they get to share some time and training with their club and province.

"Just watching him I get an appreciation of all the things he brings to a game," Reid said. "He is just naturally strong but always in the perfect position and he has got such a big motor, he never seems to get tired."

Reid has also got another outstanding tutor close by, with provincial coach Craig Dowd a man who wore the All Black jersey in 60 tests.

When Dowd also offered him the team captaincy this season, Reid was not going to knock it back.

"I got a bit of an inkling last year when I captained the team in a game against Manawatu. Then this year when we played Japan pre-season, Dowdy came up and asked me about being captain.

"I reckoned if I was captain I may be playing so I thought it was a good idea. I was comfortable taking the role on and it has been enjoyable and a challenge at the same time," he said.

His success at the coin toss this season has been pretty good, but he'd like Harbour's results to match.

So what is Reid's style? He reckons he mixes a bit of noise and some "follow-me" behaviour, characteristics which mirror those of his personal rival and Waikato captain Nathan White.

"Sometimes I guess when the time is right you have to lay down the law a bit and you can talk all you want, but if you are not doing it yourself then it is a bit of a waste of breath so I try to mix it up.

"It should be a good battle, Nathan has been a good prop in this competition," Reid said.

The 24-year-old, who attended Rosmini College, has been a prop since his days as a "chubby" schoolboy. Along the way he found time to complete a BCom degree and is now a fulltime footy player.

"It's good to have the piece of paper and that out of the way," he said.

A victory tomorrow would also help. Harbour have beaten Northland and Otago and a win against Waikato would be a great fillip for their top-seven aspirations and a Ranfurly Shield challenge next weekend.