Jul 21, 2009

This week's Features:

• North Harbour vs. Auckland, Thursday 23 July
• QBE Insurance North Harbour vs. Canterbury
  
• Premier Grade Finals, Saturday 25 July
• North Harbour Rugby Referees
  
• Glenfield Rugby celebrates its 40th Jubilee
  

Harbour take on Auckland at North Harbour Stadium
Thursday 23 July, kick off at 3.00pm

QBE Insurance North Harbour Head Coach Craig Dowd and Assistant Coach Jeff Wilson have named their squad for Harbour's final pre-season match against Auckland on Thursday 23 July at 3.00pm. 

Please note:
This match has been moved to the North Harbour Stadium Oval due to the unsuitable quality of the playing surface at Harvey Wright Fields (Northcote RFC), caused by recent inclement weather. Admission is free.

The squad is as follows:

1.         Mike Reid                         (Marist)
2.         James Parson                (Takapuna)
3.         Chris Eaves                     (Massey)
4.         James King                    (North Shore)
5.         Filo Paulo                        (Mahurangi)
6.         Malakai Ravulo              (Helensville)
7.         Tom Chamberlain        (Marist)
8.         Vili Ma'afu                       (Massey)
9.         Chris Smylie                  (Massey)
10.       Ben Botica                     (North Shore)
11.       Josh York                       (East Coast Bays)
12.       Anthony Tuitavake (C)  (Massey)
13.       George Pisi                   (Massey)
14.       Nafi Tuitavake               (Massey)
15.       Ken Pisi                          (Massey)

Forward Reserves               
            James Afoa                  (Northcote)
            Michael Mayhew          (Northcote)
            Chris Smith                  (Takapuna)
            Richard Mayhew          (Northcote)
            Adrian Smith                (Massey)
            Joe Royal                     (Marist)
            Michael Farmer           (Massey)
            Robbie Colhoun         (Silverdale)

Back Reserve
            Matt France                    (Takapuna)
            Mike Harris                    (Northcote)
            Andrew Mailei               (Northcote)     
            Hayden Abercrombie  (North Shore)

Injured                                   
            Rudi Wulf                     (Marist)
            Anthony Boric              (Marist)
            Jack McPhee               (Glenfield)

So come on down to North Harbour Stadium tomorrow, 23rd July to see North Harbour take on Auckland. Kick off at 3.00pm.

QBE Insurance North Harbour vs Canterbury – Kids FREE!

North Harbour's first home game is against Canterbury at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday 1st August at 5.30pm.

Anthony Tuitavake (76 caps) playing his 9th season in the Air New Zealand Cup will lead the team onto the field as captain for the 2009 season.

2009 sees new coaches, the return of key senior players and a chance to get back to basics. We’ve negotiated improved ticket prices with an aim to "Fill the Stadium". This ambitious goal is backed by exciting new initiatives to improve the game day experience - including FREE entry for the kids* and meeting the players on-field after each home game.

QBE Insurance North Harbour vs. Canterbury
Saturday, 1st August. Kick off 5.30pm
Curtain Raiser: North Harbour Intermediate Schools Final

* Children 12 years and under are free all year in 2009! For more ticket information please visit www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Premier Club Finals - Saturday 25 July

Club finals are this Saturday at North Harbour Stadium with defending champions Takapuna up against Northcote who seem to have timed their run to perfection.  What a difference this year has been with all the representative players staying in the competition, making the grand final even more meaningful.  Takapuna have been the frontrunners all season and have an abundance of finals experience, but Northcote are big up front and with an inside backline pairing of Harbour reps in Michael Harris and Andrew Mailei they should be able to control the final for long periods.  Takapuna place a lot of their play around Northland bound first five Jon Elrick and to have any chance Cote will need to shut him down early. Kick off is scheduled for 3pm.

The curtainraiser sees a Silverdale and East Coast Bays Plate final and what a different season both clubs have had.  Bays have continued their climb from near the bottom last season and would be the most improved side this season. Silverdale on the other hand failed to make the top six for the first time in many seasons. The Plate kick off is at 1.15pm. 

Premier Grade Finals to be held 25 July are:

Championship Final
Takapuna vs. Northcote, 3.00pm    
North Harbour Stadium
Plate Final
East Coast Bays vs. Silverdale, 1.15pm   
North Harbour Stadium

Rugby Talk with John McKittrick

North Harbour Rugby Referees

Congratulations is extended to Glenn Newman who has received his first Air New Zealand Cup appointments. Glenn has been appointed to Counties Manukau vs. Northland in their Air New Zealand Cup Pre-season warm up game this Friday night at Pukekohe. This will be followed by two Air New Zealand Cup appointments to be announced next week.

Julien Szostak, Scott Hyde and Rhys Jenkins have been selected to form part of the Northern Region representative referee panel who will referee provincial U85 - U14 fixtures.

Glenfield Rugby Union & Sports Club celebrates its 40th Jubilee

Glenfield Rugby celebrate their 40th Jubilee on Saturday 29th August along with Glenfield College.

Head down to Kaipatiki Park on Saturday 29th August and watch Glenfield College 1st XV rugby, as well as Junior and Senior club rugby.

For more information, please contact: