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Hawkes Bay XV crush Wairarapa Bush |
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Written by Magpie Rugby Administrator
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
 Expect Central lock Rob Evans to be a returnee when Hawke's Bay's Air New Zealand Cup rugby side is announced later this month.
Well, that's if he continues his form of the last three days. Kelt Capital Magpies coach Peter Russell said Evans was outstanding in the Hawke's Bay XV's first outing of the season yesterday - a 77-0 drubbing of Wairarapa Bush in atrocious weather conditions at Masterton's Memorial Park.
On Saturday, Evans, 28, was inspirational in a gutsy second-half comeback from Central in a 38-24 loss to Havelock North in Waipukurau. Havelock led 38-5 at halftime.
``I've got more time for the Magpies this year. I'm pretty happy with my form and I'm hoping to get the berth vacated by Lua,' said the Central Hawke's Bay farmer, referring to former Magpies captain Lua Lokotui who is playing overseas.
A former New Zealand Divisional XV representative and 1999 New Zealand under-19 rep, Evans played the last of his 39 games for the Magpies in 2004.
A broken leg forced him out of the 2005 season and he played for the Hawke's Bay Development side both last year and in 2006 when a broken thumb restricted his rugby.
While members of the Magpies 2007 Air New Zealand Cup squad will dominate the starting XV for the match against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua next Tuesday, Evans is hoping to be named among the subs at training tomorrow night.
Russell said openside flanker Adam Bradey, No. 8 Pama Petia and prop Tom Simpson were also prominent in the Bay pack yesterday. Halfback Chris Eaton distributed well in the difficult conditions and winger Mark Jackman made the most of his opportunities out wide.
Scorers:
Hawke's Bay XV 77 (Josh Mahoni 3, Mark Jackman 2, Kurt Rowlands 2, Chris Eaton, Rob Evans, Peniasi Tokacece, Jacob Kennedy, Pama Petia, Kalifi Fangupo tries; Jackman 4, Kennedy, Davis Tavita cons), Wairarapa Bush 0.
HT: 32-0. |
