Liam Barry anounces 23-man squad excluding Luke McAlister from second encounter
North Harbour’s head coach, Liam Barry, has excluded Luke McAlister from the 23-man squad marching into the second encounter of ITM Cup 2011. This is the second time in a row that he has not been selected. The squad will be contesting against Tasman, on
Tuesday, July 19, in Albay. According to Barry, McAlister’s omission is because it has been felt that it was unfair for him to play with a limited time for the preparations as he had missed his scheduled practice session.
Speaking about his move, Barry stated, “Luke only had his first training run with us on Saturday and it was not a full, structured training. He will get to know the plays and moves, and how we are playing the game, over this week and hopefully be up for
selection for the Bay of Plenty game in Mt Maunganui next Saturday.”
He did not attend the training session with North Harbour and was also left out of the squad which played against Otago in their first encounter of the ITM Cup 2011.
Barry on that occasion had said, “We fully expected him to turn up yesterday but he hasn't arrived so he won't be included. All the Super 15 boys were back on Monday as part of the collective so he didn't turn up. As a coach you want your All Blacks, or
ex-All Blacks, to be fully involved in the team so it's his choice not to turn up so we'll just look at our next moves there,"
Commenting on McAlisters’ omission Brett Hollister, the Chief Executive of North Harbour confirmed McAlister has not been ousted from the ITM Cup 2011, but this step has been taken as McAlister had missed his training session on Saturday prior to the inaugural
encounter with Otago and said that he was not well acquainted with the moves and the game plan.
The opening game of ITM Cup 2011 against Otago was lost by Harbours with final break-up of 46-29 on Thursday, July 15.
McAlister is signing up for a three-year contract with the French rugby union team, Toulouse, which requires him to end his term with New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) after Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011.
However, after Harbour’s loss on Thursday against Otago, McAlister has apologised to both North Harbour and NRZU on Friday.
The North Harbour’s 23-man squad for the July 19 clash includes; Ken Pisi, Willie Walker, Rudi Wulf, David Raikuna, Brendon Watt, Ben Botica, Mat Luamanu, Solomon King, Brent Wilson, James King, Ben Afeaki, Chris Smith, Michael Reid, Michael Mayhew and
Chris Smylie.
The reserves’ of the Harbour’s pack includes; Taione Vea, Manu Leiataua, Irwin Finau, Luke Hamilton, Sam Hayes-Stevenson, Codey Rei, Nafi Tuitavake and James Afoa.
Although McAlister ousted from the squad twice, it does not mean that he is out of the ITM Cup 2011 completely.
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