North Harbour have been playing very well at home while Auckland tend to struggle on the road. A home win is backed.
Key Stats - North Harbour Strong at Home
- North Harbour have won 3 of their last 4 games.
- North Harbour have won 2 of their last 5 home fixtures.
- North Harbour have won 2 of their last 4 home matches against Auckland.
- Auckland have lost 5 of their last 6 games.
- Auckland have lost 7 of their last 8 away fixtures.
Auckland Dominant
Auckland have a commanding lead over North Harbour, with nine victories to two, including one draw in 12 meetings in the National Provincial Championship.
North Harbour Rely on Home Results
North Harbour scored two tries and a conversion in a low-scoring first half against Wellington last weekend to lead 12-7 at half-time.
However, Harbour produced an excellent second half of rugby, scoring five converted tries to thrash Wellington 47-7 away from home.
Before that, North Harbour lost 31-29 away to Tasman in their season opener before thrashing Counties Manukau 59-19 at home.
Harbour are third in the National Provincial Championship table with 12 points after three rounds.
North Harbour have found some form this season, scoring plenty of tries, giving them the advantage over an Auckland side that has struggled to win on the road, losing seven of their last eight fixtures in the competition.
Auckland Struggle on the Road
Auckland scored three tries and a conversion in the first half against Hawke's Bay last weekend, going into the break with the score level at 17-17.
Auckland added another two converted tries to their tally in the second half, but fell short, losing 44-31 at home to Hawke's Bay.
At the start of their campaign, the team from Eden Park lost 38-31 to Canterbury away from home before beating Wellington 34-31 at home.
Auckland are ninth in the NPC standings with eight points from three matches.
Auckland have yet to get their season going, and will have to play well to get the results against North Harbour, as their opponents have won three of their last four games.
Team News
North Harbour
Israel Leota and Coby Miln scored a brace each in the match against Wellington last weekend.
Cameron Howell, George Reeves, and Jed Melvin each contributed a try in the match.
Con: Cameron Howell landed two conversions, while Coby Miln slotted four.
Starting XV: Oscar Cowley-Andrea, Bryn Gordon, Leka Tu’unga’afasi, Tristyn Cook, Jack Lee, James Fiebig, Motikiai Murray, Jed Melvin (C), Bryn Hall, Cameron Howell, Rory Taylor, Leo Gordon, Thomas Barham, Israel Leota, Kade Banks
Replacements: Moses Hafoka, Tony Tafa, Riley Tofilau, George Reeves, Sam Tuitupou, Sam Wye, Coby Miln, Oskar Koller
Auckland
Taele and Stephen Perofeta each scored a brace against Hawke's Bay last weekend.
Harlyn Saunoa contributed one try in the match.
Rico Simpson kicked over a conversion, while Stephen Perofeta slotted two.
Starting XV: Joshua Fusitua (CC), Nathaniel Pole, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Liam Hallam-Eames, Tai Cribb, Randall Baker, Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo, Che Clark, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Stephen Perofeta (CC), Harlyn Saunoa, Siale Pahulu, Xavi Taele, Payton Spencer, Rico Simpson
Replacements: Jay Fonokalafi, Ben Ake, Angus Ta’avao-Matau, Harvey Cordukes, Logan Platt, Titi Nofoagatotoa, James Arscott, Pita Ahki