Stern test awaits Harbour youngsters

Whoever flicked Nick Williams' switch around halfway through North Harbour's game with Wellington should be kept on a retainer for the rest of the NPC campaign.

The big No 8 turned wrecking ball in the capital to inspire a fine 29-16 win a week ago.

In the opening round, Williams had not been noticeably effective against Auckland.

But he showed why he's rated among the most damaging runners as he barged Wellington tacklers aside with a series of ground-eating charges in the second half.

Wellington remain among the NPC title contenders but North Harbour showed what they are capable of. Today will be another step up for the Harbour youngsters as they face the defending champions.

Canterbury have long been a benchmark for the others to judge themselves by. That will apply again today, and it will be players such as 22-year-old Williams who will need to stand tall if Harbour are to build momentum in their campaign.

Harbour coach Allan Pollock has a theory why Williams went from industrious but unmemorable to raging bull in the space of a week. "There's no one in New Zealand who can deal with him one-on-one," Pollock said.

"Against Auckland, he was three-on-one and got shut out of the game. Maybe he got a little impatient and tried to do something every time he got the ball.

"Against Wellington, he was a little more circumspect and when opportunities arose, he didn't try to force them, he just took them."

Williams will oppose All Black Mose Tuiali'i today. It will be a fascinating square-off between one player with his eyes on reaching the top and one who has had a taste of it, and might even have been there now but for a back injury shortly before the Lions series began in June.

Canterbury, even shorn of several All Blacks, remain formidable. Joel Iggo, Wyatt Crockett and George Naoupu aren't household names, but Canterbury run a smart, sharp operation. Surround the newcomers with old hands and they learn the ropes in a successful environment.

Coach Aussie McLean reckoned Canterbury started well in both their wins so far, against Southland and Bay of Plenty, but errors prevented them putting daylight between themselves and their opponents. "We want to make less mistakes against North Harbour than we did in the those first two games," McLean said.

The teams play for the Kevin Gimblett Memorial Trophy, named after the former Canterbury midfield back of the 1970s who later managed North Harbour and New Zealand under-19 and 21 teams. Gimblett died this year.

* NPC, North Harbour vs Canterbury, Albany, 4.35pm

NORTH HARBOUR
G. Pisi/Whiteman
V. Waqaseduadua
A Tuitavake
Rua Tipoki (c)
Zar Lawrence
T. Pisi/J. Elrick
J. Poluleuligaga
Nick Williams
Tom Harding
Brent Wilson
Greg Rawlinson
Marty Veale
Mike Noble
Joe Ward
Tony Coughlan

CANTERBURY
Ben Blair
Scott Hamilton
Casey Laulala
Joel Iggo
Caleb Ralph
C. McIntyre
Jamie Nutbrown
Mose Tuiali'I
Johnny Leo'o
Reuben Thorne (c)
Kevin O'Neill
George Naoupu
C. Johnstone
Corey Flynn
Wyatt Crockett

RESERVES: Harbour: Roger Dustow, Adrian Donald, Anthony Boric, Rodney Voullaire, Craig McGrath, Tusi Pisi or Jon Elrick, George Pisi or Andrew Whiteman.
Canterbury: Ti'i Paulo, Greg Feek, Hayden Hopgood, Sam Harding, Andy Ellis, Steven Brett, Vilimoni Delasau.