Harbour name for new caps for Battle of Bridge

North Harbour will field four new caps in the ITM Cu Battle of the Bridge against Auckland 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: 15 Jack McPhee, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 Brnedon Watt, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Alipate Fatafehi, 10 Michael Harris, 9 Grayson Hart, 8 Richard Mayhew, 7 Scott Uren, 6 Tom Chamberlain, 5 Shane Neville, 4 Matt Luamanu, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 James Parsons, 1 Michael Reid (captain). Reserves: 16 Mike Mayhew, 17 Taione Vea, 18 William Whetton, 19 Malakai Ravulo, 20 Nalu Tuigamala, 21 Ben Botica, 22 Jack Tarrant.

- © Fairfax NZ News