Wellington come to McLean Park tomorrow with not only a fearsome reputation, but a line up some Countries wouldnt mind have represent them.

When you have a backline of Weepu, Gopparth, Nonu, Smith , Jane , Ellison,and a forward pack with Schwalger, Masoe, Tialata,and not to mention the ability to bring Umaga, Hunt, and co off the bench you would think the game is won before kick off. Hawkes Bay however have shown that names and reputation dont mean much to them. Sure they show respect who wouldn't, but what has to be remembered is that these guys have two arms, two legs, and one brain like anyone else.

The Magpies will no doubt attempt to place pressure on the Wellington pack just like they did against Southland through numbers at the break down, and a willingness to have two players in the tackle to prevent an off load of the ball. Make no mistake the task facing the Magpies is immense, and I would hasten to add most pundits going to the park tomorrow will no doubt think Wellington will win and probably easily. But let me add, some very good Wellington teams have gone away from McLean Park in the past with nothing but lost pride and deep bruising. This Magpies side is one full of pride in the jersey, and a deep seated committment to each other, and their union.

Peter Russell, Tom Coventry, and co are very smart coaches, who no doubt will have come up with a game plan well thought out, and one hopefully good enough to show the Capital boys that rugby in the Hurricanes region is alive and well.

Funnier things have happened  - ah Southland.

The TAB has Wellington firm favourites at 1.11 for the win - where as the Magpies are at $6.00 for the win. The Tab has Wellington at a $1.45 for a 13+ win -  with Hawke's Bay paying $8.00 for a 12 and under win.

We know of one punter that placed $100 for a Magpies 13 and over win against Southland last week. $1100.00 thank you very much. 

Mighty Hawke's Bay Magpies		vs	Wellington
1.	Sona Taumalolo		1.	John Schwalger
2.	Hika Elliot		2.	Luke Mahoney
3.	Clint Newland		3.	Neemia Tialata
4.	Matt Egan		4.	Jeremy Thrush
5.	Bryn Evans		5.	Bernie Upton
6.	Michael Johnson		6.	Faifili Levave
7.	Karl Lowe		7.	Tom Harding
8.	George Naoupu		8.	Chris Masoe
9.	Danny Lee (C)		9.	Piri Weepu
10.	Matt Berquist		10.	Jimmy Gopperth
11.	Zac Guildford		11.	Shannon Paku
12.	Sam Giddens		12.	Ma'a Nonu
13.	Jason Shoemark		13.	Conrad Smith
14.	Jason Kupa		14.	Cory Jane
15.	Ben Batger		15.	Tamati Ellison
16.	Jamie Muir		16.	Tone Kopelani
17.	Ardyn David		17.	Jacob Ellison
18.	Lua Lokotui		18.	Api Naikatini
19.	Luke Ottley		19.	Thomas Waldrom
20.	Chris Eaton		20.	Nigel Hunt
21.	Aayden Clarke		21.	Tane Tu'ipulotu
22.	Justin Wilson		22.	Tana Umaga
Coach	Peter Russell		Coach	Aussie McLean
	Tom Coventry			Jamie Joseph - Assistant Coach
				Alama Ieremia - Assistant Coach
Referee	Bryce Lawrence
TJ's	Hawke's Bay RRA Ref
	Hawke's Bay RRA Ref
TMO	Chris Rooney

THE LAY OF THE LAND

HAWKE'S BAY
A few changes to the Magpies lineup to play Wellington this weekend were named by Coach Peter Russell on Thursday. Due to a groin strain to Grant Webb, George Naoupu will start at Number Eight, with veteren Michael Johnson slotting in at blindside flank. Taking the opensider role in this match will be Karl Lowe - who gets his first start in the Air New Zealand Cup. 

The groin strain to Webb looks as through he will also miss the away match against Tasman next week as well. 

Other than that - the starting XV is the same that took on Southland last week. Matt Berquist did have a ricked neck, but has come through training this week to take the crucial Number 10 spot.

Three changes have been made to sub's bench by Russell, Wellington loan player Ardyn David (WHO???) replaces Hawke's Bay B prop Christian Pera, last years captain Lua Lokotui takes over from Will Crutchley, and Luke Ottley makes it onto the bench for Lowe.

WELLINGTON
A week after playing on the blindside flank, the All Blacks backup No7 was named at the back of the Wellington Lions' scrum yesterday for the match against Hawke's Bay in Napier tomorrow afternoon.

Masoe replaces Thomas Waldrom in one of six positional changes to the Lions' starting team that also includes the return of Ma'a Nonu at second five-eighth after he was omitted from the squad last week.

Nonu returns after being surprisingly left out of the Lions squad for their opening match, against Otago. "He was never in the bad books," McLean said. "And we are pleased to have him there. He's not a bad footballer."

Nonu's return is bad news for wing Hosea Gear, who drops out of the squad to accommodate a reshuffled backline that sees Tamati Ellison leading the side from fullback with Cory Jane moving to the right wing.

There is also a reshuffled reserves bench with halfback Alby Mathewson dropping out of the 22 for Nigel Hunt, Tone Kopelani back from injury in place of Dane Coles, and Jacob Ellison in for Hoani Tui. Serge Lilo, who has the flu, is rested.

Hawke's Bay made an impressive start to the season at Invercargill last week, claiming five points, but Wellington will be a totally different proposition from the lacklustre Stags.

THE RUN OF THE TAPE

HAWKE’S BAY v Wellington
Sat 4th August, 2.35 at McLean Park, Napier
Played: 87, 1885–2002
Hawke’s Bay wins: 26
Wellington wins: 56
Draws: 4
Last match: Hawke's Bay 37 - Wellington 34, 17.07.02 at Napier.
Last Wellington win: Wellington 67 - Hawke's Bay 36, 18.05.95 at Napier.
Biggest Hawke’s Bay score: 58 (58-8), 14.08.1926 at Napier
Biggest Wellington score: 67 (67-36), 18.05.95 at Napier
Biggest differential: Hawke's Bay by 50 (58–8), 14.08.1926 at Napier

WALKING WOUNDED:
Grant Webb is out for Hawkes Bay with a groin strain and while Matt Berquist left the field last week after playing strongly but has come up to the mark for this match, while Wellington has no injury worries.

FORM:
These sides were among the most impressive of the 14 teams last weekend, with Hawke’s Bay doing a job on Southland at Invercargill. Where the Magpies historically have an abysmal record, and Wellington smashing Otago into little pieces. Since both teams also went unbeaten through the pre-season, only a draw can save one side or the other from its first loss of 2007.

WHO'S HOT:
For both teams you could start at one, work through to 15 and add a few reserves. Perhaps the best of a fine Hawke's Bay side were Hika Elliott, a talented young hooker who had to get his career back on track and appears to have done so, the lineout combinations, veteran flanker Michael Johnson, the ageless Danny Lee and the clutch of young speedsters in the back three. Berquist and Aayden Clarke kicked eight of nine goal attempts between them.

Piri Weepu was the story for Wellington, overcoming a tough week to play the house down and give the Otago defence fits all night. Tamati Ellison played one of his best matches at this level and Bernie Upton was great value in the forward exchanges. Chris Masoe and Neemia Tialata were both strong in all areas and young hooker Dane Coles managed to score twice in his first 10 minutes of provincial rugby, the first being a good forward's try and the second being something most centres would have enjoyed. Jimmy Gopperth and Ellison landed 10 of 12 goal attempts.

WE THINK:
Although Hawke's Bay will surprise a few teams this year, we can't see Wellington being caught napping. If Hawke's Bay are to tip over Wellington - it will have to be done in the forwards. Conditions could play a part in the match with the weather forecast not looking flash. Wellington chock full of All Blacks and Super 14 players on paper look to be the side, although they do seem to have made some odd selections. Maybe this could be their undoing. 

SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID

Matt and Lua - Magpie Pugulists
"Let's be friends  teammates"
C'mon lads row together in stroke and keep things above baord please.

Peter Russell - Hawke's Bay Coach.
"We don't want Wellington to have the same freedom as they had against Otago last week."
Otago gave Wellington the keys to the city in there 68-7 thrashing.

Chris Masoe - Lions Number 8
"I didn't get the chance to play week in week out and sitting on the bench that long and not getting game time has been frustrating. I think the more game time you get the better you get."
Obviously Chris Masoe does not agree with Henry's rotation policy in the All Blacks!

Aussie McLean - Wellington Coach
“We couldn't go into the game against Canterbury in round four with a lot of players not having had rugby. ”
Crikey - is that what he has to worry about as a coach with a team stacked full of Super 14 and All Black Players!!!

Next Match
Next week Hawke's Bay travel away to play Canterbury B - oh sorry Tasman at some crusty old tarted up club ground in Blenheim at 7.35pm on the Friday night. Chance to watch the game with ya mates over a few beer's. Make them Limburgs!!

Mr BMR789's tip
We had better shore up our defence in the 10 -  12 channel this week. Nonu is playing at 12 and will look to attack there.