19 Sep 2009

Injury forces Tuitavake out of battle of the bridge

6:57 am on 19 September 2009

There's been an injury blow for North Harbour ahead of this afternoon's battle of the bridge provincial rugby championship match against Auckland with a recurring groin injury ruling out the captain Anthony Tuitavake at training.

The All Black lock Anthony Boric will take over the captaincy at Eden Park with Andrew Mailei moving to centre to replace Tuitavake.

Boric replaces Chris Smith at blindside flanker and Tuitavake's absence sees the backline reshuffled again after seven changes were made to the side which lost to Hawkes Bay last weekend.