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 The City slickers are in town. It's been a while since the Queen City lads have been in the Hawke's Bay as they take on the Mighty Magpies at McLean Park in the Thursday night clash at 7.05 pm
The year 1974 in New Zealand was a special one. Firstly the Commonwealth games were held in Christchurch. The All Black selectors dropped a bomb shell with the naming of the All Black side to tour Australia, with some 15 new All Blacks including new skipper Andy Leslie, and of course daylight saving was introduced for the first time in this country.
But heres something for Hawkes Bay rugby supporters to chew over. This was the last time Hawkes Bay defeated Auckland in a game of rugby at the top level. Auckland had just taken the Ranfurly Shield off Wellington, and because they needed to rest their top players sent their B team to play both Poverty Bay, and Hawkes Bay. This decision backfired with both games being lost, Hawkes Bay thumping Auckland by 34-9 at McLean Park, with Vince Costello scoring three tries along the way.
Auckland and the Bay since then have had some right royal battles with Auckland prevailing in all of them. It will also be remembered that Auckland put the final nail in the coaching career of Graham Lewis when in 1984 the Bay suffered a humiliating defeat to the tune of 65-6 at Nelson Park. Graham Lewis being sacked after the game, and replaced by former All Black Robbie Stuart.
No one in their wildest thought will be entertaining that sort of scoreline or post match reaction tonight. Auckland come to the Bay with a reputation of being very skillful and a side reknown to put sides away clinically given the opportunity. But they also showed against Taranaki in their last outing that when denied possession for a period of time, and placed under pressure they can be slow to react, and at times look like they dont quite know how to respond. This was clearly evident when coach Pat Lam stated after the game that he wanted to apologise to all the Auckland fans for the performance against Taranaki.
Hawke's Bay do have areas to attack Auckland. Firstly the Auckland front row has two relatively inexperienced players in McCartney, and Heard, and remember the Bay will want to make amends for the scrummaging effort against Counties. Secondly Daniel Braid excluded their doesn't appear to be an over abundance of pace in their loose forward trio. Brad Mika is a very good player but at Number eight? Jerome Kaino hasn't played a hell of a lot of rugby this year and he to can be exploited with the Bay playing an up tempo style of game, and moving what is a very big Auckland pack around. Out back the Auckland back three of Ward, Stanley, and Smith, are great attacking players but when did anyone last see these guys leave their feet to take a high ball with their opposition bearing down on them. Matthew Berquist can play a key part in this tactic, as long as the Bay chasers come up straight and give them no options.
They Bay pack when need to produce exactly what they did against Counties for the full eighty minutes tonight, and place extra attention on gaining as many turnovers as they possibly can. Karl Lowe has a huge job on his hands marking Braid, but he has shown he is more than capable of rising to such a challenge.
Make no mistake, the challenge facing Hawkes Bay tonight is huge and no so called experts around New Zealand (Willie Lose excluded - give them a chance) but Auckland always lose a game each year they're expected to win. Fifteen thousand screaming Bay supporters will be hoping that game is tonight at McLean Park.
 | |  | | Mighty Hawke's Bay Magpies | vs | Auckland | | 1. | Fa’akanua Taumalolo | | 1. | Chris Heard
| | 2. | Hika Elliot
| | 2. | Tom McCartney | | 3. | Tom Symes
| | 3. | John Afoa
| | 4. | Matt Egan
| | 4. | Kurtis Haiu
| | 5. | Brynn Evans
| | 5. | Jay Williams
| | 6. | Michael Johnson | | 6. | Jerome Kaino
| | 7. | Karl Lowe
| | 7. | Daniel Braid
| | 8. | Grant Webb
| | 8. | Bradley Mika
| | 9. | Danny Lee (C)
| | 9. | Taniela Moa
| | 10. | Matt Berquist
| | 10. | Isa Nacewa
| | 11. | Zac Guildford
| | 11. | David Smith
| | 12. | Davis Norman
| | 12. | Sam Tuitupou (C)
| | 13. | Sam Giddens | | 13. | Ben Atiga
| | 14. | Ben Batger
| | 14. | Benson Stanley
| | 15. | Isreal Dagg | | 15. | Brent Ward
| | 16. | Jamie Muir | | 16. | Saimone Taumoepeau | | 17. | Arden David | | 17. | Nick White | | 18. | Lua Lokotui | | 18. | Stan Haukinima | | 19. | George Naoupu | | 19. | Charlie Faumuina | | 20. | Chris Eaton | | 20. | Onosai'i Tololima-Auva'a
| | 21. | Aayden Clarke | | 21. | Grayson Hart
| | 22. | Lote Raikabula | | 22. | Lachie Munro
| | |
| | | | | Coach | Peter Russell
| | Coach | Pat Lam | | | Tom Coventry | | | Shane Howarth | | | | | | | | Referee | Chris Pollock | | | | | TJ's | HB RRA Ref
| | | | | | HB RRA Ref | | | | | TMO | Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri | | | |
THE LAY OF THE LAND
Well in recent years rugby games between Auckland and Hawke's Bay have been rarer than a politician putting thier hand in their pockets to pay for a meal. It is hard to believe that the last time HB and Auckland played each other was 1993. Over 14 years ago. What is even more worrying is that it is far back as 1974 that we last had a win over Auckland. That's almost a life time for this punter. If Hawkes Bay manages to score that elusive win over the Auk's I will certainly enjoy sending some choice TXT's to a former flatmate that played for Auckland from 1993 through to 2002. HAWKE'S BAY
Changes to the starting XV used against the Steelers see Bryn Evans return from his groin injury to replace lock Will Crutchley, right winger Justin Wilson is unavailable with his hamstring injury and is replaced by Ben Batger and Israel Dagg takes Batger's No. 15 jersey. The only change to the Magpies' subs bench sees Davis Norman come out of retirement to replace Dagg. AUCKLAND
Lam was less than impressed with Auckland's bumbling performance in their 22-13 defeat of Taranaki last Friday night, a result that kept their unbeaten record intact.
But he has kept his starting 15 largely untouched, with just two changes, one of them because of injury.
Former All Black Troy Flavell has been omitted so as not to risk making a minor hamstring strain more serious and Brad Mika comes into a rejigged loose forward combination.
Up front, prop Chris Heard is elevated from the bench in a straight swap with Saimone Taumoepeau.
Auckland - pah - who are they. Welcome to the real rugby landscape, where lunch is a nice fat meat pie and coffee is hot and with milk and two. No Latte and panini's down here for the Bay lads. The Mighty Pies will be rearing to tear into the Queen City Slickers in front of a packed out McLean Park on Thursdary night.
THE RUN OF THE TAPE HAWKE’S BAY v AUCKLAND
Thurs 30th August, 7.05 at McLean Park, Napier
Played: 72, 1889–1993
Hawke’s Bay wins: 16
Auckland wins: 52
Draws: 4
Last match: Auckland 69 Hawke’s Bay 31, 05.06.93 at Auckland, (NPC,RS)
Last Hawke’s Bay win: Hawke’s Bay 34 Auckland 9, 25.09.74 at Napier
Biggest Hawke’s Bay score: 41 (41–11), 21.08.26 at Napier (RS)
Biggest Auckland score: 69 (69–31), 05.06.93 at Auckland (NPC,RS)
Biggest differential: Auckland by 59 (65–6), 19.08.84 at Hastings (NPC)
WALKING WOUNDED:
Justin Wilson is out with a hamstring strain and Jason Shoemark recovering from a knock that threatened to rule him out should still take the field - while Troy Flavell misses the game with a hamstring strain. That loss could be a big one, as he shored up a shonky Auckland lineout last week, making nine takes and dominating the aerial battles.
FORM:
Both teams go into this match with fine records, even if neither would have been thrilled with its second-half effort last week. Hawke's Bay has been the surprise of the competition although it is the punters outside the region, not those from the Bay, who have been caught on the hop. Despite a win against a bumbling Counties-Manukau side last week the Magpies will have been working hard during the week and it is a fair bet that the tackle bags have been getting a good work-out.
Auckland was not particularly impressive last week either, and was perhaps fortunate that Taranaki missed several chances to take points from Auckland errors. Auckland was guilty of playing too much across the park rather than running straight, a problem that Pat Lam will surely have addressed this week.
WHO'S HOT:
It's probably easier to say that every player on both teams is in decent form and start from there. Just about every individual clash will be worth watching but we would highlight Danny Lee, Karl Lowe and Shoemark as Hawke's Bay's most influential players and Jay Williams, Daniel Braid and Sam Tuitupou as danger men for Auckland.
Williams has not been used much this season on Auckland's ball but, with a strong opposing lineout, might be called a few times as the night wears on.
Shoemark and Sam Giddens will really need to be organised on defence to contain Tuitupou and Ben Atiga, but the Aucklanders will also need to keep a close eye on their opponents.
WE THINK:
Well this match is all ahead for us to win. The Auckland forward pack does not man for man appear that overly strong, and certainly would seem to be slightly less mobile with the use of Kaino and Mika in the loose forward mix.The expected large crowd will get in behind the Magpies and if we don't get rattled by the razzle dazzle of the Auckland backs, we do have the ability to impose our own game plan onto them. But adding in a dosh of reality - we think that Auckland will take the points in this game. The weight of history and an Auckland team that when it has turned it on this year - have really zipped past other teams. SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID Karl Lowe - Hawke's Bay Flanker
"When fatigue starts to set in late in the game you listen to the crowd and it makes you want to keep going"
appreciates having a home crowd behing him. Peter Russell - Magpies Coach.
"Bigger than Texas."
vdescribing the challenge ahead of the Magpies. Benson Stanley - Auckland Winger
"Our skills were poor and we paid the price. We're looking for a big effort. The potential is there. It's just a matter of putting it all together."
noting that their effort against Taranaki were poor and that they will have to step up to play the Magpies. Pat Laml - Auckland Coach.
"The team that everyone is talking about in the competition is Hawke's Bay and that's all about their team work."
well it is a team game Pat!!!
Next Match Well potentially it will be another top of the table clash against Canterbury and what's more if they do the business on Waikato - it will be a Ranfurly Shield Challenge for us as well. Wouldn't that be great a chance to grab the Shield. We can only hope.
Mr BMR789's tip
If you are ever heading through Woodville - stop in at Yummy Mummy's Cheesecake shop. Over 30 chessecake flavours and all to die for. Delicious!! Go the MAGPIES!! |
