Battle of the Bridge: Harbour team announced to play Auckland
North Harbour Rugby Media Release
July 30, 2010
North Harbour team to play Auckland, North Harbour Stadium, Sunday, 2.35pm.
North Harbour will field four players making their ITM Cup debuts against Auckland in the Battle of the Bridge on Sunday. Centre Brendon Watt, winger Alipate Fatafehi, halfback Grayson Hart and lock Matt Luamanu will all start in a new-look North Harbour team to be captained by prop Michael Reid.
Watt has plenty of experience with Wellington and Taranaki, Tongan international Fatafehi played for Western Province in last year’s Currie Cup, Luamanu was part of the triumphant NZ Under-20 team, while Hart is on loan from Auckland and has played for the Blues.
Head Coach Craig Dowd is quietly confident his team, co-coached again this season by Jeff Wilson, can get off to a winning start.
“It is important we get to the level required building up to the game but also during the game we need to pour out more than just the usual standard of club rugby. Finding that level first up is a key for us but I know the North Harbour players really get up to play against Auckland.
“It has come at the right time for us playing them first up and we are very excited about taking Auckland on. We have a squad we have total confidence in and the opportunities are there for the younger players to step in and prove they are good enough.”
North Harbour team:
- Michael Reid (capt)
- James Parsons
- Ben Afeaki
- Matt Luamanu
- Shane Neville
- Tom Chamberlain
- Scott Uren
- Richard Mayhew
- Grayson Hart
- Michael Harris
- Alipate Fatafehi
- Luke McAlister
- Brendon Watt
- Ken Pisi
- Jack McPhee
Reserves:
- Mike Mayhew
- Taione Vea
- William Whetton
- Malakai Ravulo
- Nalu Tuigamala
- Ben Botica
- Jack Tarrant
Unavailable due to injury:
James King (lock), Michael Farmer (lock), Filo Paulo (lock), Chris Smylie (halfback), Josh York (winger), James Afoa (prop).
Unavailable due to All Blacks commitments:
Anthony Boric (lock)
~ ENDS ~
Tickets: Prepurchase your tickets from Ticket Direct by visiting www.ticketdirect.co.nz or by calling 0800 4 TICKET (0800 4 842 538)
Adults from $10.00 & Children from $5.00, available from Ticket Direct www.ticketdirect.co.nz or at the gate.
Regards
Peter White
Freelance Journalist
Hammer Sports Media Limited
Ph 021 284 2442
hammersports@gmail.com
PO Box 11625
Ellerslie
Auckland 1542