Rush takes over captaincy

By CHRIS RATTUE

Xavier Rush has taken over the captaincy of the Auckland NPC side.

The former national Colts captain and one-test All Black No 8 replaces loosehead prop Paul Thomson, who has also been told by coach Wayne Pivac that he is under "immense pressure" for his position from fellow Super 12 prop Nick White.

The 23-year-old Rush will lead Auckland against North Harbour at Waiheke Island on Sunday, where White will start, with Thomson on the bench.

"It is nothing to do with Paul's leadership," said Pivac. "But the captain has to be starting games and Paul is under immense pressure.

"Xavier is Auckland through and through and he is committed to us past the World Cup. He is passionate about Auckland rugby."

With the return of No 8 Samiu Vahafolau, who made such a strong impression with Northland last year and the Highlanders in the Super 12, Rush will be stationed on the blindside flank.

The makeup of Auckland's core NPC squad will be clearer when Pivac names 22 players to take on Northland in Whangarei on Wednesday, but at least he will not be distracted by having to fit in test players later on - Doug Howlett is the only current All Black.

For Sunday's game, Auckland have included national under-19 captain Sam Tuitupou, who played at second five-eighths and fullback when they won the world title in Chile this year.

Tuitupou is not even a senior club player yet, and stars instead for the pace-setting Ponsonby under-22s.

The forward reserves include 28-year-old Papatoetoe prop Lopeti "Robin" Samiu, who has played more than 100 games for his club and is believed to have been the youngest Tongan player when selected for his country of birth's side 10 years ago.

The reserves also include openside flanker Daniel Braid, son of former test lock Gary Braid from the Bay of Plenty.

When Braid sen played for North Harbour in 1986, he took 4-year-old Daniel to training, where he put on so many mighty-midget displays of toughness on the sideline that Harbour players such as Wayne Shelford and Allan Pollock - now the North Harbour coaches - Frano Botica and Pivac dubbed him "Ox."

The other newcomer in the Auckland side is Ponsonby lock Ali Williams, one of five players in the reserves who will be involved in tomorrow's Gallaher Shield club final between Ponsonby and Otahuhu at Eden Park.

Auckland will be missing halfback Steve Devine, who has a minor hand injury, plus Orene Ai'i (shoulder reconstruction) and Jeremy Stanley (groin), who will not be fit for the start of the NPC next month.

North Harbour have included halfback Tony Alatini, older brother of All Blacks midfield back Pita Alatini, plus Blues Colts prop John Buchanan and centre Rod Penney, rated as one of the stars of the Colts Super 12 competition.

Auckland: Mils Muliaina, Iliesa Tanivula, Eroni Clarke, Amasio Valence, Justin Wilson, James Arlidge, Ben Meyer, Samiu Vahafolau, Justin Collins, Xavier Rush (capt), Robin Brooke, Charles Riechelmann, Christian Califano, James Christian, Nick White.

Reserves: Sam Tuitupou, Joeli Vidiri, Carlos Spencer, Kevin Senio, Daniel Braid, Stephen Bates, Ali Williams, Bradley Mika, Robin Samiu, Paul Thomson, Keven Mealamu.

North Harbour: Glen Osborne, Karl Te Nana, Rico Gear, Rua Tipoki, Aisea Tuilevu, Willy Walker, Mark Robinson (capt), Blair Urlich, Matua Parkinson, Craig Newby, Mark Weedon, Matt Lord, Tevita Taumoepeau, Slade McFarland, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Scott Adams, Rod Penney, Frano Botica, Tony Alatini, Malua Tipi, Liam Barry, John Buchanan, Ace Tiatia.