KEY POINTS:
North Harbour coach Wayne Pivac is feeling a bit like an outsider as he prepares his side for its Ranfurly Shield clash with Taranaki on Saturday night.
Pivac was not in charge when Harbour won the Shield late last season, which he said has a slightly strange feeling
to it.
It is the first time Pivac has coached a side in a Ranfurly Shield defence against a first division side, although he was in charge of Auckland when they won the Shield in 2003.
Pivac expects his side to improve markedly from last week's draw with Northland and believes the same can be said of Taranaki.
He said they are expecting this to be a totally different affair completely as both teams are very passionate about the Ranfurly Shield and his whole squad is determined to keep hold of it as long as they can.
North Harbour comfortably brushed aside Thames Valley and Horowhenua-Kapiti last month in its first Shield defences.
The North Harbour starting 15 has just two changes, with Ben Afeaki and Tom Chamberlain coming into the side at tighthead prop and openside respectively.
Another prop who is returning, Sam Biddles, is on the bench.
Flanker Rob Colhoun has been suspended for two weeks for trampling.
Meanwhile, Taranaki coach Kieran Crowley has just one positional concern ahead of this weekend's challenge.
Left wing Paul Perez has been bracketed with Michael Tagicakibau for the match and is rated just 50/50 for the game.
If Takicakibau does run on, Asalemo Malo will keep his place in the 22.
Laurence Corlett is the only fresh name in the playing squad and he is bracketed on the bench with James Annabell.
North Harbour
George Pisi, Villiame Waqaseduadua, Anthony Tuitavake, Rudi Wulf, Jack McPhee, Tusi Pisi, Junior Poluleuligaga, Nick Williams, Tom Chamberlain, Anthony Boric, Greg Rawlinson, Ryan Wilson, Ben Afeaki, Tom McCartney, James Afoa.
Reserves: James Hinchco, Sam Biddles, Chris Smith, Villiame Ma'afu, Daniel Deveraux, Michael Harris, Puanani Hunia.
Taranaki
Scott Ireland, Shayne Austin, Mathew Harvey, Mark Stewart, Paul Perez or Michael Tagicakibau, Kurt Morath, Brett Goodin, Jarrad Hoeata, Scott Waldrom, John Willis, Courtney Mackay, Craig Clarke, Hamish Mitchell, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn (captain).
Reserves (one to be omitted): James Annabell, Laurence Corlett, Daniel Middlemiss, Tomasi Soqeta, Ray Stark, Matt France, Jack Cameron, Michael Tagicakibau/Malo Asalemo.
- NEWSTALK ZB
