2011 Squad Preview
11 July 2011

Squad review based on a nothing game a week or two ago

1. Michael Reid - Marist
Ok I suppose, just not as dominating as one would have liked. I like my props hungry and emotionally terrifying. I just don't see him going much further apart from the well-trodden path of overseas rugby. Need to see more from one heralded as a potential great.

2. Manu Leiataua - Mahurangi
No idea, but he must be relishing a bit of time away from Warkworth. Will know what it is like to be under the sticks which may prove to be handy. All the best Manu.

3. Taione Vea - Western
Big unit, I actually have seen this one up front and he looks like what I want to see from Reid, I'm picking him as a real achiever in 2011.

4. Michael Farmer/Irwin Finau - Mahurangi/East Coast Bays
Farmer is good and another happy to be at the business end of the season rather trotting out for the plate. Injured last year, hopefully he will bring all the promise the big fella has had. Not overly familiar with the Finau but when you play for Bays anything must be a bonus.

5. Chris Smith - Takapuna
Took last year off to concentrate on studies as opposed to whipping off to the UK for quick sojourn. I'm a little surprised he has come back to Harbour after becoming the scape-goat for 2009's miserable season, but hey, time heals all wounds and his experience will be handy, not sure he is a lock though.

6. Brent Wilson - Takapuna
Signing of the season, six years playing for Newcastle in the Guinness Premiership has evolved this young man into a great player and this is really what Harbour needs, a person with miles on the clock who will do the business and lead from the front.

7. Sam Hayes - Stevenson - Takapuna
Looked good all season after arriving from Christchurch. Should go well, another good signing by the look of it.

8. Solomon King - Takapuna
Pretty sure he has played no club rugby but has represented NZ in the Sevens this year, has been talked up this one, time will tell.

9. Brenton Helleur - Takapuna
Seen him a wee bit, I would have to say not all that impressive, maybe he is saving himself for the big stage but nothing there during the club season to suggest utter greatness. May have made the Samoan extended training squad which I suppose offers hope.

10. Ben Botica - North Shore
One of the solid performers in the early rounds of club rugby and if there is a year for him to give it his best shot, I would say 2011 is it. No McAlister and other pretenders breathing down his neck so go to it big fella.

11. Nafi Tuitavake - Massey
A bit like Uncle Ben above, needs to show he has the class that everyone in the Union says he has, got the ability, just need to show us cynics where-to-from-here.

12. Brendon Watt - North Shore
Attackers ran through this fella at will last season but to be fair the defence was nothing short of crap. I would need to see a huge improvement in this area to even rate him as a player.

13. Rudi Wulf - Marist
One of the luckiest people ever to be an All Black, disappeared overseas and then returned. I almost forgot about him and then he returns after a short and ultimately average season in France. Hopefully he will provide stability in the wing area where we have been lacking.

14. Ken Pisi - Massey
See Nafi, needs to really perform.

15. Codey Rei - East Coast Bays
Came up from the 'Naki with real promise and looked quite wicked in club play, we need some fresh blood that can play rugby which I believe this one may be able to provide us.

16. Mike Mayhew - Northcote
Best of the Mayhew clan and not entirely sure why he is not playing a higher level of rugby with his brothers in the UK, a good hooker.

17. James Parsons - Takapuna
Solid performer over the last few seasons with limited opportunities to shine. I would think this is his last time at Harbour to try and break into the professional layer above. 18. Alex Woonton - North Shore - Unsure.

19. Brad Christiensen - North Shore
As above.

20. Scott Uren - Marist
A great wee player for Harbour over the last few years, will be very handy to have as a loose forward back-up. 21. Luke Hamilton - North Shore - Outstanding I think, very nippy from the break-down and will be a top acquisition.

22. Willie Walker - North Shore
My god, going back in time this one. Not sure how old he is but who knows it has worked for us in the past.

23. David Raikuna - Western
Sounds big and strong, don't know him.

24. Luke Devcich - Marist
Sounds like a Dally from the wine country, plays for Marist, can't be awesome.

25. Jerome Nuimata - Massey
Quick and fast?, I hope so.

Overview:
Harbour in the last three years have been poor. We have consistently failed to show any of the finesse and style which we were once renowned for. This year in a condensed ITM Cup our aim must be to get out of the average league and back into the big-boys one. I would settle for this, the boys will have to play a lot of footy in a short space of time but this may work to our advantage. The loose forwards look excellent and I hope some of the personnel we have bought back can help us get more consistent results.

Coaches:

Liam Barry
I really have no idea how he might perform, he appears to have little experience but I will wait and see before issuing judgement.

Jeff Wilson
How he kept his job is a modern-day rugby miracle. We had no defence last year and my god he must have saved somebody's life who was important.