We are set to go – are you! Our QBE Harbour Boys are looking forward to kicking off their 2013 campaign with a Battle of the Bridge game vs the old foe - Auckland. Be great to have your support at Eden Park this Sunday. If you were lucky enough to catch any of the club season this year you will recognise a lot of the boys that step on the field this weekend – this is the next generation of Super Rugby players, guys that have been developed from within and with your continued support have a bright future ahead of them. Harbour head coach Liam Barry knows all to well the history of the battle of the bridge and expects his players to match the intensity required. "There is an intense rivalry between the sides. Today’s players know each other well and with Blues positions up for grabs it only adds to that intensity." Harbour’s squad is built around a core of home-grown talent this year, seeing many selected on the back of strong club rugby form. There is a sense of excitement around the squad and anticipation that some new faces will be making their mark on the competition. The challenge for Barry will be ensuring his squad can make the next step at ITM Cup level. "There are a number of new players yet to play at this level. One of our biggest challenges will be getting them up to speed for the demands of ITM Cup rugby. As a team we need to ensure put the respect back in the Harbour jersey." 18 year old winger Tevita Li is one of those fresh faces expected to make a big impact. A New Zealand sevens star, Li has the potential to be a destructive winger in the fifteen man game in a similar mould to Julian Savea. The Massey High School product is a prime example of the local talent being developed in the region. Fans will recognise the name Michael Little, the son of former All Black and Harbour stalwart Walter Little, who has joined the squad this year after an impressive season with Glenfield. Leading the fresh faces will be the experience of front rower and co-captain James Parsons. He comes into the provincial season off the back of impressive Super Rugby form and will carry huge respect in the team. Parsons believes the team’s mix of experience and youth will work well. "We have a great mix of youth and experience this year. The new players have fitted in well having been around the Harbour scene within our academy and club scene. Our focus will be one game at a time and ensuring we execute the basics well.” With the condensed nature of the ITM Cup, Harbour opens their season with four games within the space of twelve days. The opening home fixture is against Counties Manukau on Thursday the 22nd August with the North Harbour 1st XV final as the curtain raiser. Sundays Kick off is 2.35pm from Eden Park QBE North Harbour team 15. Codey Rei (East Coast Bays) 14. Nafi Tuitavake (Massey) / Jona Tuitoga (East Coast Bays) 13. Pita Ahki (Massey) 12. Tua Saseve (Marist) 11. David Raikuna (Western) 10. Jon Elrick (Takapuna) 9. Bryn Hall (Northcote) / Brenton Helleur (Takapuna) 8. Viliami Fihaki (Mahurangi) 7. Zac Judge (East Coast Bays) / Scott Uren (Marist) 6. Jordan Manihera (Silverdale) 5. Josh Olsen (Takapuna) 4. Chris Smith (Takapuna) 3. Ropate Rinakama (Silverdale) 2. James Parsons (Takapuna) 1. Greg Pleasants-Tate (Takapuna) Reserves 16. Raymond Niuia (Massey) 17. Alex Woonton (North Shore) 18. Brandon Nansen (North Shore) 19. Zac Judge (East Coast Bays) / Scott Uren (Marist) 20. Bryn Hall (Northcote) / Brenton Helleur (Takapuna) 21. Nafi Tuitavake (Massey) / Jona Tuitoga (East Coast Bays) 22. James Semple (Takapuna)
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 04:09:51 +0000
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