 Cage of Rage
But Hawke's Bays last victory over Waikato at McLean Park was way back in 1975. Since then the Bay have suffered some terrible hidings at the hands of Waikato, with perhaps the most embarrassing being the 86-0 caning handed out in 1999 in Hamilton, which was of course a Ranfurly Shield challenge.
Now none of this has any relevance on Saturday's clash in Napier, except to add motivation to the Bays cause, not that they would need a lot when you think of whats at stake. If they win, and then defeat Manawapoo - a home quarter final becomes a reality. But this is where a suspicious mind may start thinking.
Waikato are down to their fifth string halfback, no Stephen Donald, and some what depleted at lock. Yes Warren Gatland has been saying a home quarter final is their aim, but guess who Hawkes Bay would play in the quarters if things stay as they are? Yep Waikato, and wouldn't you know it you can guarantee all the guns will be fit and firing. Now I'm not suggesting Waikato won't want to win, but surely the quarter final may be what Gatland is more concerned about?
Waikato bring a loose forward trio which is without doubt one of the best in the competition. Holah, Messam, and Bates are all top class players who will pose big problems for the Bay. Hawke's Bay however have shown that the bigger the name the more they step up. Hawke's Bay will attempting to attack the Waikato scrum, and to succeed Tim Fairbrother and Sona Taumalolo, and Hika Elliott will need to perform to their best because the Waikato front row are all proven performers led by skipper Tom Willis. Should Hawke's Bay be able to dominant this should allow Danny Lee to pressure the inexperienced Richard Sutherland and slow down delivery to the Waikato backline.
Hawkes Bay have plenty of pace out wide, and should the weather be good you can reasonably expect both teams attempt to get the ball out wide and hopefully both sets of wings see plenty of ball. As mentioned earlier Hawke's Bay last victory at McLean Park was in 1975 by the score of 25-3. What will happen tomorrow? A closer scoreline than 1975, and hopefully the Bay reversing last years result on McLean Park when they led by 12-0 after 10 minutes.
One things for certain, Hawke's Bay fans shouldn't have to wait 32 more years to see the Bay triumph over Waikato at McLean Park.
 | |  | | Mighty Hawke's Bay Magpies | vs | Dirty Scumbag Waikato
| | 1. | Fa’akanua Taumalolo | | 1. | Craig West | | 2. | Hika Elliot
| | 2. | Tom Willis (C)
| | 3. | Tim Fairbrother | | 3. | Nathan White
| | 4. | Matt Egan
| | 4. | Mark Burman
| | 5. | Brynn Evans
| | 5. | Josh Olsen
| | 6. | Michael Johnson | | 6. | Steven Bates
| | 7. | Karl Lowe
| | 7. | Marty Holah
| | 8. | Grant Webb
| | 8. | Liam Messam
| | 9. | Danny Lee (C)
| | 9. | Josh Sutherland
| | 10. | Matt Berquist
| | 10. | William Ripia
| | 11. | Zac Guildford
| | 11. | Roy Kinikinilau | | 12. | Sam Giddens
| | 12. | Roimata Hansell-Pune
| | 13. | Jason Shoemark
| | 13. | Dwayne Sweeney
| | 14. | Jason Kupa
| | 14. | James Kamana
| | 15. | Justin Wilson
| | 15. | Sosene Anesi
| | 16. | Jamie Muir | | 16. | Vern Kamo | | 17. | Tom Symes
| | 17. | Aled de Malmanche | | 18. | Lua Lokotui | | 18. | Jordan Smiler | | 19. | George Naoupu | | 19. | Stephen Setephano
| | 20. | Chris Eaton | | 20. | Trent Renata
| | 21. | Aayden Clarke | | 21. | Jackson Willison
| | 22. | Davis Norman
| | 22. | Jared Payne
| | |
| | | | | Coach | Peter Russell
| | Coach | Warren Gatland
| | | Tom Coventry | | | Tony Hanks
| | | | | | | | Referee | Matt Stanish
| | | | | TJ's | HB RRA Ref
| | | | | | HB RRA Ref | | | | | TMO | Gary Wise
| | | |
THE LAY OF THE LAND
This fixture should be a real humdinger as Waikato come to town to play the 2007 surprise package of Hawke's Bay, who lies one place above its visitors in fourth.
Many thought the Bay's opening 8-6 win over Wellington was merely a blip on the radar but that has since been disproved and is best represented by the fact that this match is one vital for a top four home playoff match. HAWKE'S BAY
Former Hurricanes rugby prop Tim Fairbrother will make his debut for the Hawke's Bay tomorrow. After an 18-month injury-forced spell, Fairbrother wants to use the remainder of the campaign to resurrect his career. He is eager to regain a berth in the Hurricanes side later this year. Magpies coach Peter Russell said Fairbrother had trained with the Magpies for the past fortnight and impressed. Fairbrother's arrival is one of six changes Russell has made to the starting XV used in last week's unsuccessful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury in Christchurch. Other changes to the pack see Matt Egan replace Lua Lokotui at lock and in the regular reshuffle of the loosies Karl Lowe replaces Michael Johnson at openside flanker and Johnson replaces George Naoupu on the blindside. In the backs, New Zealand sevens star Lote Raikabula will make his first start in the Cup campaign in place of winger Jason Kupa who suffered a hamstring injury at Monday night's training and Davis Norman replaces Sam Giddens at second five-eighth. Giddens is having a week off with his calf injury collected in the 44-6 loss to Canterbury. DSW
Gatland is forced to make changes at halfback and lock this week due to injuries incurred by David Bason (knee) and Kent Fife (shoulder) during last Friday’s Waikato v Wellington match.
Twenty-three year-old Josh Olsen will enjoy his first start, and only his second game, in the Air New Zealand Cup this weekend. The 199cm lock will start alongside Mark Burman.
At halfback Josh Sutherland will also get to experience his first start for the Mooloos in the Air New Zealand Cup.
First five-eighth Stephen Donald was not considered for selection this week due to an ankle injury.
The Waikato front row of Craig West, Tom Willis and Nathan White remains unchanged, as does the loose forward trio of Steven Bates, Marty Holah and Liam Messam.
THE RUN OF THE TAPE HAWKE’S BAY v DIRTY SCUMBAG WAIKATO
Sat 22nd September, 5.30pm at McLean Park, Napier
Played: 41, 1925–2006
Hawke’s Bay wins: 16
Waikato wins: 24
Draws: 1
Last match: Waikato 42 Hawke’s Bay 23, 03.09.06 at Napier (ANZC)
Last Hawke’s Bay win: Hawke’s Bay 22 Waikato 17, 28.09.91 at Hamilton (NPC)
Last Waikato win: Waikato 42 Hawke’s Bay 23, 03.09.06 at Napier (ANZC)
Biggest Hawke’s Bay score: 64 (64–08), 29.07.25 at Dannevirke
Biggest Waikato score: 94 (94–33), 10.07.94 at Napier
Biggest differential: Waikato by 86 (86–0), 07.08.99 at Hamilton (RS)
WALKING WOUNDED:
It doesn't often happen this way but for once luck is with the smaller union. Hawke's Bay is bolstered by the return of Sam Giddens and Jason Kupa without losing anyone, while Waikato has a few problems.
Foremost among them is that Stephen Donald is out of this match, while Kent Fife and David Bason are also missing from recent lineups. Waikato locking stocks are starting to look pretty thin by now as Warren Gatland is forced to use players he would have looked at as promising B team material at the start of the season. FORM:
Hawke's Bay recovered well from a couple of maulings at the hands of Auckland and Canterbury to win a hard-fought match against Northland last weekend, taking five points and securing a playoff spot. The Magpies showed they had not forgotten how to attack and neither had they forgotten the value of patience, building some clever scores and taking advantage of gaps when they appeared.
Waikato went the other way, turning over far too much ball against Wellington and then missing tackles on strong runners like Ma'a Nonu and Cory Jane. Since taking the Ranfurly Shield off North Harbour a month ago Waikato has never threatened to recapture that touch and the season is now one bad result away from derailing. WHO'S HOT:
Same old, same old for Hawke's Bay; the experienced hands are providing the tactical wisdom and the newer players are putting plenty of enthusiasm into their work. On the form so far in 2007, plenty of Hawke's Bay players should be looking for Super 14 contracts next year. Top of the list would be Fa'akanaua Taumalolo, Hika Elliot, Bryn Evans, Michael Johnson, Danny Lee, Jason Shoemark and Zac Guildford but there are more whose week in, week out performances are almost as good.
Waikato will also look to the experienced men like Steven Bates, Tom Willis, Marty Holah, Liam Messam, Donald and Roy Kinikinilau to start taming the Magpies this week, allowing the younger Mooloo brigade a chance to show off their skills. The two goal-kickers, Matt Berquist and William Ripia, are among the most accurate in the competition so mistakes will probably be punished. WE THINK:
This game is going to be huge and should pull teh punters along to the Cage of Rage on a nice Spring evening to suppport the good guys in black and white and while the Dirt Scumbag Waikato are short-priced favourite at the TAB; Hawke's Bay has been more impressive recently despite a couple of big losses. The scoreline will be absolutely irrelevant; winning will be everything. Next MatchIt's the Poo - down in Palmy - They are not bottom of the table any longer - and have had quite a good season considering. Time to put down the ol' enemy and show them who is boss.
Mr BMR789's tip
Go the Minnow's in the Rugby World Cup - Love that team from Georgia. 15 forwards on the park!!
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