From Harbour site this am.......
2010 QBE Insurance North Harbour Squad for ITM Cup
Seven newcomers have been named by QBE Insurance North Harbour Head Coach Craig Dowd in the 2010 North Harbour ITM Cup squad that has been announced today.
The 2010 North Harbour squad features a mix of youth and experience with many of the players boasting recent experience at either Super or International Rugby level. While North Harbour might have lost influential players like Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf to overseas contracts, the inclusion of Luke McAlister has been a positive boost to the side.
"Having Luke McAlister back available in the North Harbour jersey this season is a huge boost to the side," says Dowd.
Alipate Fatafehi (Tonga) and James Afoa (Samoa) played in the recently completed Pacific Nations Cup series. Centre Jack Tarrant returns to New Zealand from Japan where he represented that nation earning six caps in 2009.
2008 New Zealand Under 20's player Mathew Luamanu, Auckland halfback Grayson Hart (loan player), and former Wellington/Taranaki midfield player Brendon Watt also join the squad.
"Due to the high attrition rate in the ITM Cup we have been looking to create depth of talent for every position in our 2010 squad. We have some healthy selection dilemmas in several key positions. The ITM Cup is a tough competition and having back up for injuries if and when they occur will be an important factor to be successful in this competition," says Dowd.
North Harbour's first match of the 2010 ITM Cup is against Auckland on Sunday 1st August (kick-off 2.35pm) at North Harbour Stadium.
The 2010 North Harbour ITM Cup squad is:
Ben Afeaki - Marist
James Afoa - Northcote
Ben Botica - North Shore
Tom Chamberlain - Marist
Alipate Fatafehi - Mahurangi*
Michael Farmer - Mahurangi
James King - North Shore
Michael Harris - Northcote
Grayson Hart - Import*
Manu Leiataua - Mahurangi*
Mathew Luamanu - North Shore *
Luke McAlister - Silverdale
Jack McPhee - Glenfield
Michael Mayhew - Northcote
Richard Mayhew - Northcote
James Parson - Takapuna
Filo Paulo - Mahurangi
Ken Pisi - Massey
Malakai Ravulo - Helensville
Michael Reid (C) - Marist
Chris Smylie (vc) - Massey
Jack Tarrant - Takapuna*
Nalu Tuigamala - East Coast Bays
Nafi Tuitavake - Massey
Scott Uren - Marist
Brendon Watt - North Shore*
William Whetton - Northcote
Josh York - East Coast Bays
*New player to squad
All Blacks: Anthony Boric, Tony Woodcock
No news of preseason games but I remember seeing a big win over JAPAN some time ago!
First ITM Cup game is the classic BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE fixture....
WEEK 1. Thursday 29 July – Sunday 1 August
Sun 1 Aug 2.35pm North Harbour vs. Auckland North Harbour Stadium North Shore City
Think this season will really show the progess (or not) of Craig Dowd & Jeff Wilson as young coaches
Cheers,
Baz
