NORTH HARBOUR

It was only two points in the end, but how crucial those two points were.

North Harbour were relegated out of the Premiership on the final day of the season but were just two points off fourth place and a spot in the semi-finals. Harbour blew a 21–0 lead to lose to Bay of Plenty in the final round-robin match while Canterbury beat Auckland in injury time to avoid relegation. But a new season brings renewed hope with a fresh coaching group of Daniel Halangahu, Steve Jackson and Ben Afeaki joining forces. Head coach Halangahu, assistant coach at the Blues, is positive ahead of this NPC campaign. “There will be a lot of change this season with the players probably taking a lot more control. The guys are extremely passionate about the jersey. Our job as a coaching group is to really facilitate the way the boys go out there, to play with pride in who we are and who we represent. “But Harbour is not one of the big-dog unions. Never has been. We are about fighting above our weight, I guess. That’s what we want to do, what we want to be known for. “It’s a local team. Ninety per cent of the team are local players.” There are no better performers in the NPC at 9 and 10 than Harbour’s two Bryns – halfback Hall and first-five Gatland. Hall is a stalwart of the team, with the Crusaders No 9 a key strategist in how Harbour play, while Gatland is a superb kicker for goal and open-field space. New recruits in midfield are Samoan international midfielder Henry Taefu, who impressed with the Western Force in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, and Tongan representative Fine Inisi. They will add to the midfield depth alongside the consistent James Little. Halangahu says the front row was the point of difference last year. There was no doubt Harbour’s front row was magnificent and the catalyst for the two best wins of the season over finalists Auckland and Tasman. Crucially, the key front-rowers are all back. Tighthead Sione Mafileo bends to no-one and again will be the foundation for the Harbour scrum, along with experienced loosehead prop Nic Mayhew. Dynamic hooker Luteru Tolai had a fine Super campaign but will have a tough battle for the starting jersey with Rhys Marshall, who has returned from Munster. Lock Jacob Pierce was a standout last season and will be better for the experience he gained from another campaign with the Blues. He will be the senior lock with outstanding Blues performer Gerard Cowley-Tuioti moving overseas to play in Japan. Harbour will have co-captains this campaign, Gatland and dynamic flanker Murphy Taramai. COACH: DANIEL HALANGAHU CO-CAPTAINS:

BRYN GATLAND, MURPHY TARAMAI

HOME GROUND:

NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM, ALBANY

WEBSITE: www.harbourrugby.co.nz TICKETS: www.iticket.co.nz ADDRESS:

LEVEL 2, NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM, STADIUM DRIVE, ALBANY, AUCKLAND

PHONE: 09 447 2100 EMAIL: harbour@harbourrugby.co.nz TAB ODDS: NORTH HARBOUR $2.88