Preseason: QBE Insurance North Harbour team to play Counties Manukau
Pre-season game at Kumeu, Friday July 8, kick off 7.30pm
QBE Insurance North Harbour take on Counties-Manukau in an important hit out before Harbour open the 2011 ITM Cup against Otago in Dunedin on Thursday July 14.
Openside flanker Brent Wilson will captain North Harbour on Friday night and it is great to see the 29-year-old back in Harbour colours after five successful seasons in England with Newcastle. Former All Black Rudi Wulf is back from Toulon in France and will start at centre, while NZ Sevens rep and former Counties-Manukau star David Raikuna will be up for a big game against his old team on the right wing. Fullback Codey Rei played for Taranaki last season and is regarded as one of the quickest players in the competition.
The Harbour forwards are packed with Super rugby experience. Chiefs’ tighthead prop Ben Afeaki joins the team after spending time recently with the All Blacks wider training squad, while lock James King, No 8 Mat Luamanu and halfback Chris Smylie, who will start from the bench, all had game time with the Blues. Former New Zealand Sevens, Chiefs and Bay of Plenty flanker Solomon King will start in the No 6 jersey.
The match will be played under the excellent lights at the Riverhead War Memorial Park, access from Alexandra Street. Free entry to all.
QBE Insurance North Harbour vs. Counties-Manukau
1. James Afoa
2. James Parsons
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Chris Smith
5. James King
6. Solomon King
7. Brent Wilson (C)
8. Mat Luamanu
9. Brenton Helleur
10. Ben Botica (VC)
11. Nafi Tuitavake
12. Brendan Watt
13. Rudi Wulf
14. David Raikuna
15. Codey Rei
16. Michael Mayhew
17. Manu Leiatua
18. Alex Woonton
19. Taione Vea
20. Irwin Finau
21. Sam Hayes-Stevenson
22. Scott Uren
23. Chris Smylie
24. Luke Hamilton
25. Willie Walker
26. Ken Pisi
Team Management
Coach: Liam Barry
Assistant Coach: Jeff Wilson
Manager: John McKittrick
Assistant Manager: Spy Kelly
Trainer: Sam Pervan
Physio: Ash Draper
Doctor: Simon Mayhew