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AIR NEW ZEALAND CUP

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North Harbour name initial squad

Thursday 21st June 2007

Once the Air New Zealand Cup starts, North Harbour will defend the revered title at each of their home games.

North Harbour will play Heartland Championship sides Thames Valley and Horowhenua Kapiti, before taking on the Counties Manukau side in a pre-season warm-up

Pivac has selected number eight Nick Williams as his captain.

New Zealand under 19 captain Chris Smith has been included alongside his teammates Ben Afeaki and Ken Pisi.

Pisi joins brothers George and Tusi in the squad.

Tony Woodcock, Luke McAlister and Greg Rawlinson were not considered due to national committments.

Pivac said that the selection process was no easy task.

"Milan [Milan Yelavich Assistant Coach], Shane [Shane King Assistant Backs Coach] and I found the initial squad selection very difficult for a number of reasons.

"In some positions a number of nationally ranked age group players have forced their way in over their more senior counterparts. In others the loss of international players to the World Cup has meant opportunities have presented themselves a little earlier than some may have expected."

"Club form alone was not the sole criteria for selection in this initial squad, players from last years squad had their individual performances reviewed and those players who have missed out have been told exactly what they have to work on to regain selection," added Pivac.

The door for selection is not closed with the final 26 for the domestic season to be named after the Horowhenua Kapiti match.

North Harbour squad: Ben Afeaki, James Afoa, Sam Biddles, Anthony Boric, Robert Colhoun, Tom Chamberlain, Danny Deveraux, Doug Fletcher, Michael Harris, Puanani Hunia, Luke Hamilton, James Hinchco, Zar Lawrence, Tom McCartney, Jack McPhee, Richard Mayhew, Ken Pisi, George Pisi, Tusi Pisi, Michael Reid, James Rodley, Chris Smith, Tua Saseve, Anthony Tuitavake, Ryan Wilson, Viliame Waqaseduadua, Rudi Wulf, Nick Williams (captain)