Rugby: Aussie prop to play for Harbour

By CHRIS RATTUE

Australian World Cup and Waratahs prop Rod Moore has been signed by North Harbour for this year's NPC in what should be a major boost for their prospects.

Harbour coach Wayne Shelford will have the one-test prop on the bench when North Harbour open their NPC campaign against Counties Manukau at Albany on Saturday.

With Tony Coughlan injured, North Harbour will start with experienced East Coast Bays prop Dean Thompson at loosehead, while the union's long-time hooker, Slade McFarland, will begin his new career as a tighthead prop and former Wellington hooker Ace Tiatia will make his Harbour NPC debut.

Long-term injuries to Fosi Pala'amo, suffered in training, and Les Bone and Simon Halford, who are playing overseas, saw North Harbour go knocking on Moore's door.

He has dabbled with playing in New Zealand previously but his move was blocked by the Australian Rugby Union, which wanted to protect its club scene.

But the situation is altered this year as winter sports seasons in Australia will end early because of the Olympics. Moore has won an even earlier release because his club, Eastwood, are out of the New South Wales championship.

The 28-year-old Moore, a former Australian schoolboy and Colts player, returned to his home Super 12 state this year after three seasons with the Brumbies.

He was called over to the World Cup last year following a training ground injury to Patricio Noriega, and won his only test cap against the United States. Queensland tighthead prop Fletcher Dyson's surprise elevation to the test line-up this year set back Moore's test hopes.

Meanwhile, injury problems in Auckland's loose forward contingent could mean a return from Northland for loan player Samiu Vahafolau, who scored a fine solo try, running 40m in the final minute, to seal Northland's impressive 24-6 win over Auckland in Whangarei at the weekend. With Dylan Mika injured and Mark Carter taken off injured early on, there might be a swift return south for the loose forward.

Northland coach Bryce Woodward is hopeful Vahafolau will remain for the NPC, adding that he would be disappointed if Vahafolau was recalled simply as a bench-warmer.

But Auckland coach Wayne Pivac may have other ideas. He said he would only recall Vahafolau if the injury situation became dire.

"At this stage, he would only come back if the injury to Carter is serious and the prognosis from Mika is long term," he said.

It was Auckland's second pre-season loss inside five days, following their defeat by Canterbury, while it was Northland's second win in a week after they upended North Harbour.