McAlister to miss Tasman match
Having smoked the peace pipe with his teammates and Harbour management over his non-attendance at training last week - and subsequent axing for the opening ITM Cup game against Otago - Luke McAlister is again missing for tonight's clash with Tasman at North Harbour Stadium.
Harbour coach Liam Barry was not talking yesterday, but explained the decision to omit the former All Black from his 23 in a statement.
It was felt McAlister had not been around long enough to become acquainted with the calls and plays Harbour use. Another couple of days' training should mean he is ready for inclusion against Bay of Plenty next Saturday at Mt Maunganui.
However, after the 46-29 beating Harbour took from Otago last week, having McAlister on the reserves bench might have been prudent. Even only firing at 50 per cent, he has enough talent to bring something fresh to the Harbour attack.
Barry has made three changes to his starting XV.
Veteran first five-eighths Willie Walker replaces Codey Rei at fullback; Mike Mayhew comes in at hooker for James Parsons; and Ken Pisi is in on the right wing and Nafi Tuitavake goes to the bench.
"We need to build pressure and be patient," Barry said, reflecting on the Otago loss.
"There is no doubt our platform needs to improve, plus the accuracy of our execution and eliminating individual errors."
Tasman lost their opener 19-9 to Northland, and have also made three changes for tonight.
Hooker Quentin McDonald comes off the bench, while lock Pablo Huete and wing Mitchell Scott make their first starts for Tasman.
* Former All Black Benson Stanley will miss three to four weeks of the cup after being concussed during Auckland's loss to Canterbury on Sunday.
Second five-eighths Stanley was also concussed during the Blues' round-robin game against the Reds on May 13 in Brisbane.
Wing Francis Saili's debut lasted just 16 minutes before he tore a blood vessel in his left hand.
He will not be considered for tomorrow night's game against Otago at Eden Park, but he should be a contender for Saturday's trip to Wellington.
NORTH HARBOUR
North Harbour Stadium, 6.05pm today
Willie Walker
Ken Pisi
Rudi Wulf
Brendon Watt
David Raikuna
Ben Botica
Chris Smylie (c)
Mat Luamanu
Brent Wilson
Solomon King
James King
Chris Smith
Ben Afeaki
Mike Mayhew
Michael Reid
TASMAN
Robbie Malneek
Lucky Mulipola
Kieran Fonotia
A. Goodman
Mitchell Scott
James Marshall
Steve Alfeld
Mark Bright
Shane Christie
Jonathon Poff
Joe Wheeler
Pablo Huete
Fia Maka
Q. McDonald
Sam Prattley
North Harbour: Manu Leiataua, Taione Vea, Irwin Finau, Sam Hayes-Stevenson, Luke Hamilton, Nafi Tuitavake, Codey Rei, James Afoa.
Tasman: Francis Smith, Craig Moore, Riki Hoeata, Liam Squire, Shawn Begg, James Proctor, Willie McGoon, James Hatfield.
