Rugby: Coaches deplore midweek hearings

By WYNNE GRAY

Auckland and Northland were in rugby harmony yesterday, two days shy of their NPC derby in Whangarei.

The unison came after Northland front-rowers Joe Ross and Mike Storey appeared before the New Zealand Rugby Football Union judiciary to answer foul play charges arising from their last game, with Otago.

Prop Storey was banned for three weeks for stomping and hooker Ross two weeks for a head-high tackle.

Before the decisions, the rival coaches, Auckland's Wayne Pivac and Northland's Bryce Woodward, questioned the disruptive timing of Wednesday hearings before a Friday-night match.

Northland had to use their alternative front-rowers at their final practice last night, while Auckland had to deal with a few fitness tests.

Craig Dowd and Robin Brooke have recovered from injuries which eliminated them from the last game with Wellington.

However, halfback Steve Devine will be rested after an incident which also brought Wellington hooker Norm Hewitt before the judiciary last night.

The committee cautioned Hewitt for using a swinging arm when tackling Devine, who was forced from the field.

It viewed several camera angles in video footage of the tackle, and heard Hewitt's explanation that he had attempted to drive over Devine and turn him in the tackle.

The committee concluded that Hewitt attempted the tackle while Devine was in a crouched position and while his arm action was forceful, the intent was to seize Devine around the shoulder and grasp him in the chest region.

Devine was injured but video footage showed his head moved sharply on contact with another player.

The Auckland team doctor could not ascribe the injury to the contact by Hewitt or head contact with another player.

The referee for tomorrow night, Colin Hawke, damaged his ribs in an accidental collision during last week's Ranfurly Shield game and will be replaced by Lyndon Bray.

While Northland lost two of their promising front row, they have gained midfielder Robbie Johnson, who had been out for several weeks with a broken thumb.

The last time the Blues Super 12 partners played was an August trial, won by Northland 24-6.

"We did not play well then," Pivac said.

"We got distracted and want to rectify that, but it was a wake-up call for us in the NPC."

"One thing it did show was that Northland definitely play better at night."

Woodward continued the accord from Northland.

"Last year we were better under lights, but it depends this season, though we like that sort of atmosphere."

Meanwhile, North Harbour have a few problems ahead of Saturday's shootout with Wellington.

Prop Tony Coughlan is struggling with a shoulder problem and flanker Matua Parkinson is hampered with a back strain.

Midfielder Rua Tipoki may be absent because of a family tangi on the East Coast.